Malta Film & Photography Production Services & Camera Crews

Are you a media company, brand, ad agency or production company looking for film / photography production support or shooting crew in Malta? Contact us for trusted fixers, producers, directors, DoPs, videographers, photographers, and full shooting crews tailored for the specific needs of your project.

Filming in Malta

For an introduction to shooting in Malta see below notes on film locations, permits, when to shoot, unique local stories, costs, tax incentives, crews, talent, fringes, premiums, equipment, communications, art department, studios, post facilities, visas and work permits for filming, transport, film-friendly accommodation, and safety advice.

Malta Film Locations

Malta is a small island archipelago nation located in the Mediterranean between Sicily and the North African coast. The country has 3 inhabited islands including Malta, Gozo, and Comino. Its long history of occupation by the Romans, Moors, Knights of Saint John, French and British have left it a rich architectural heritage. Film locations of note include fortresses, Baroque palaces, museums, megalithic archaeological sites, limestone cliffs, caves, beaches, and bays. The landscape is lush and green in winter, and dry and barren in summer. Malta has no permanent rivers or lakes.

Agricultural film locations include vineyards as well as plantations of potatoes, tomatoes, citrus, and olives. Fishing boats are available for filming. Malta is known for its limestone quarries. Energy locations include gas-fired power plants.

Malta doubles well for a variety of past and present European and Middle Eastern looks. Malta played King’s Landing in Game Of Thrones (2011-2019). Assassin’s Creed (2016) doubled Malta for 15th century Spain. World War Z (2013) doubled Malta for Jerusalem. Munich (2005) shot Malta for 1970’s Cyprus, Greece, Israel, Italy, Lebanon, Palestine and Spain.

The country has hosted many productions including Napoleon (2023), Game Of Thrones (2011-2019), Murder on the Orient Express (2017), Assassin’s Creed (2016), Sense8 (2015-2018), World War Z (2013), Captain Phillips (2013), Agora (2009), The Da Vinci Code (2006), Munich (2005), Troy (2004), The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (2003), The Count of Monte Cristo (2002), and Gladiator (2000), to name a few.

Malta’s world-class Mediterranean Film Studios water tank facilities have serviced productions including Captain Phillips (2013), U-571 (2000), and White Squall (1996).

Film locations can be divided into 3 main islands:

Malta

Valletta, located on the main island of Malta, is the capital and largest city. It is known for is bays, forts, museums, palaces, and grand churches. Locations of note in Valletta include St John’s Co-Cathedral, Grand Master’s Palace, Castille Palace, Grand Harbour, St George’s Bay, Balluta Bay, Valletta Waterfront, Fort Manoel, Fort St Angelo, Fort Saint Elmo, Fort Ricasoli, Fort Rinella, National Library, Department Of Customs, Basilica of St Dominic, Manoel Theatre, Triton Fountain, Malta Maritime Museum, Malta at War Museum, Lower & Upper Barrakka Gardens, and Republic Square. The Parliament of Malta was designed by Renzo Piano.

Malta Island locations outside of Valetta can be reached within a 30 minute drive. Film locations of note include:

Palazzo Parisio in Naxxar is known for its palatial interiors.

Mdina is an ancient walled city and the former capital. Film locations of note include Mdina Cathedral, Mdina Gate, Mesquita Square, St Paul’s Catacombs, Palazzo Falson, Vilhena Palace, and Palazzo Santa Sofia. Productions such as Game Of Thrones (2011-2019), Agora (2009) filmed in Mdina.

San Anton Palace, the president’s official residence, featured in Game Of Thrones (2011-2019).

The port of Marsaxlokk is a picturesque fishing village famous for its traditional Maltese fishing boats. Other locations of note include St Peter’s Pool, Ta Kalanka Sea Cave, Delimara Lighthouse, and Fort Delimara which featured in Agora (2009) and Assassin’s Creed (2016). Malta Freeport Terminals featured in Captain Phillips (2013).

Malta International Airport is available for filming.

Rotunda of Mosta is located in Mosta.

Saint Agatha’s Tower is a large bastioned watchtower in Mellieħa.

Megalithic archaeological locations of note include Ħaġar Qim, Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum, Mnajdra, and Tarxien.

Malta Aviation Museum is located in Ta’Qali.

Malta Falconry centre is located in Siġġiewi.

The Blue Grotto is an impressive cave system.

The Dingli Cliffs are a spectacular film location.

Ġnejna Bay and Golden Bay are beautiful beach locations.

Gozo

Gozo is the second largest island in Malta.

Victoria is the largest city in Gozo. It is known for the Citadel which includes Cathedral of the Assumption, St George’s Basilica, Old Prison, and fortified walls.

The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Blessed Virgin of Ta’ Pinu is an impressive location.

The Church of Saint John the Baptist is located in Xewkija.

Inland Sea and Blue Hole are famous underwater photography locations.

Ramla beach is a beautiful film location.

Ġgantija is a megalithic temple complex.

Calypso Cave in Xagħra is best known from Homer’s “The Odyssey”.

The Salt Pans are an interesting film location.

The Azure Window rock arch has unfortunately collapsed.

Comino

The paradise island of Comino is the third largest island.

Blue Lagoon featured in Troy (2004), The Count of Monte Cristo (2002), and The Blue Lagoon (1980).

Crystal Lagoon is another beautiful film location known for its turquoise waters.

Saint Mary’s Tower is a large bastioned watchtower.

Malta Film Location Permits

Malta film location permits typically take from two days to one week depending on the nature of the shoot. Shooting in public areas is usually donation based. Permits for use of government property are obtained from the Estate Management Department. Filming at protected sites normally requires additional permits or approval from the Malta Environment and Planning Authority, Heritage Malta or other relevant authorities. Please contact us for location specific information.

When To Shoot?

Malta is the sunniest country in Europe with long daylight hours throughout the year. April to October are the best months to film for weather. June to September is hot and dry. This is also the peak tourist season. Winters from November to March are mild and rainy. For monthly weather statistics please see here.

Festivals are held throughout the year with every village celebrating a festa (feast). Carnival celebrations take place in Valletta each February with bands, parades, and masked balls.

Malta is a predominately Christian country, so those holidays are observed.

Public holidays may affect timing, availability and costs. See here for public holiday dates in Malta.

Unique Local Stories

Brands are looking for local stories that match their brand narrative. Our local teams are a great lead for sourcing those unique stories and characters.

If you are looking for stories for your next shoot, send us your brief and we will pitch you ideas.

If you have a unique story you would like to pitch to a brand anywhere in the world, pitch us your idea. We have well-established processes to ensure that your ideas are properly seen and protected.

Costs & Tax Incentives

Costs. Malta trades in the Euro. Local costs are around the same as the rest of Mediterranean Europe. The need to bring in some key crew and specialized equipment can add to the cost of the production. Our Maltese service producer / fixer will negotiate local deals and provide the appropriate level of production support to match every budget. See here for the current VAT rate.

Tax Incentives. Malta offers an uncapped 40% cash rebate incentive. Qualifying productions include feature films, TV series including pilots, creative documentaries, scripted & unscripted reality programmes, game shows, VFX & post-production (if done in Malta).

Film Crew & Talent

Crews. Malta has a small pool of local directors, directors of photography and stills photographers. Local crews are non-union. Supporting crew are good but depending on the shoot some key crew may need to be brought in from abroad. Malta’s close proximity to major European production centres allows easy access to those crews should you ever need to look further.

Given that Malta was for a time part of the British Empire, most Maltese people speak fluent English.

Contact us if you are looking for a director, DP, photographer, videographer (cameraman / camera operator), camera assistant (focus puller), sound operator, grip, gaffer, stylist, hair and makeup, PA / runner, production driver, or any other film crew for your shoot in Malta.

Talent is non-union and buyouts are negotiable.

Maltese and English are the official languages.

Most locals are ethnically Maltese, a Mediterranean people. Malta’s close proximity to major European production centres allows easy access to those pools of talent should you ever need to look further.

Fringes. Allow 14-20% mandatory social security tax for big construction crews. Allow 15% mandatory withholding tax for extras.

Premiums. Malta has an 11 hour shoot day plus 1 hour lunch. Typically Sunday, feast days and 7th day pay double time. That said, our Maltese producer / fixer will package deals depending on the specific needs of each project.

Malta Film Equipment

Equipment. All standard camera, grip and lighting equipment is available locally include some underwater filming equipment. More specialised equipment may need to be brought in from abroad, which is an easy fix given there are several daily flights available from major European production centres. For productions looking to bring in film equipment, Malta is in the EU, and a member of the ATA carnet system.

Communications Communication is key. Our agility and global experience allows us to customise the right communications systems for every shoot.

Web posted casting, scouting, and videoconferencing.

For clients that are unable to attend set we offer a virtual video village solution. This dedicated and secure high-resolution video streaming platform allows clients from one or multiple timezones to view setups without compromise and to participate in real-time with the team on set. Separate systems can be set up for the discrete conversations that are required to make a job run right. Working remotely with our local teams reduces your content production costs, turnaround times, carbon footprint, and risks associated with unpredictable global events.

Art Department, Studios, Backlots, & Post Production

Art department and set construction. Local art department support is good and construction crews are very good.

Studios. There are no sound stages in Malta. Warehouse space is often converted to construct sets for filming.

Malta is best known for its famous water tanks at the Mediterranean Film Studios which are amongst the largest in the world. The facilities have serviced productions including Captain Phillips (2013), U-571 (2000), and White Squall (1996). The tanks are water stages where sets are built and shot with various facilities of tie-downs and platforms. Various SFX machinery is available to create storms, using smoke, wind and wave machines, tip-tanks, water cannons and a 500 mph jet engine. There are three main water tanks of unique size and depth:

The Shallow Tank is mainly for surface water filming and storm special effects. The overspilling effect when the tank is full creates a seamless natural horizon effect, eliminating the need for a false backdrop. There is also the facility of a gimbal or a rocker in this tank.

The Deep Tank is mainly used for underwater filming given its depth and water clarity. A special filtration system offers visibility down to 60 feet.

The Insert Tank offers great water clarity, a dry camera room, optional heating, and a removable roof. The tank can be filled with either fresh or salt water.

Malta Film Studios has a 4,000 sqm sound-stage.

Warehouse has also been converted into construction sets for filming.

Backlots. There are no backlots on studio grounds but there are a few constructions still remaining such as the Popeye village (now an amusement park) and a Roman street (left over from a Julius Caesar TV series, now left somewhat in disrepair). Fort Ricasoli is a 17 acre space where the huge sets of Game Of Thrones (2011-2019), Agora (2009), Troy (2004), and Gladiator (2000), amongst others, were built. This fort is located next to the Mediterranean Film Studios.

Post Production. Stargate Studios offer sophisticated post facilities.

Visas & Work Permits

Malta is a Schengen Area member state. Visiting US film crews can enter visa-free for a period of up to 90 days. Contact your local Maltese embassy / representative for more information.

Transport & Accommodation

Transportation Infrastructure is all up to known and expected world standards. The islands are small, so most locations are less than a 30min drive from each other. Regular ferries operate between main islands or for greater flexibility charters are readily available. Malta is connected well to the rest of Europe with major airlines and budget airlines servicing flights to Malta on a daily basis.

Accommodation. Malta has many great film-friendly accommodation options to fit any budget. Contact us for special Emerge Film Solutions rates at recommended hotels, villas and serviced apartments throughout Malta.

Final Notes

Safety. Malta is a very safe and reliable filming centre. See here for up to date travel advice.

Down Time. The Maltese are a hospitable bunch, with a relaxed, can-do attitude. After long days of filming there are plenty of impressive restaurants and fine local wines to sample (Malta has excellent local wine). If you have time, take a ferry out to the islands of Gozo or Comino.

Projects. For an example of TV commercials, stills campaigns, online content, corporate videos, virtual reality 360 content, feature films, TV series and documentaries shot in Malta, please see below:

Hire Malta Production Support & Shooting Crew

If you are looking for a film or photographic production service company, line producer or fixer for your shoot in Malta, please contact us.

If you are looking for a shooting crew for your shoot in Malta, such as a director, DoP, photographer, videographer (cameraman / camera operator), camera assistant (focus puller), sound operator, grip, gaffer, stylist, hair and makeup, PA / runner, production driver, please contact us.

We are able to provide you with answers, references and bids quickly.