Malta film commissioner Johann Grech outlines push for a “land-sea super stage” and expanded training and incentives

Malta’s film industry commissioner Johann Grech said the island nation is pursuing an expansion of its production capacity designed to attract larger international shoots, centered on plans for a new “land-sea super stage” at Malta Film Studios. Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Grech framed the effort as part of a broader strategy to build infrastructure, train crews, and strengthen incentives tied to filming in Malta as the government-supported sector seeks to move beyond peak-season production cycles.

The interview came as Malta hosted the fourth edition of its Mediterrane Film Festival in late June, drawing Hollywood participants including Colin Trevorrow, Renny Harlin, Famke Janssen, Dove Cameron, John Cleese, Omar Epps, DeWanda Wise, Robin Tunney, Jack Whitehall and others, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Grech, described by the outlet as Malta’s central figure in the film industry, used the festival period to discuss the status of studio development and the next steps for the local workforce.

Grech said Malta is “investing heavily” in upskilling crews and continuing to strengthen the rebate program to remain competitive internationally. He also pointed to training support aimed at turning the sector into a year-round employer, saying Malta has launched a 2 million euro scholarship fund to support crews. The commissioner linked those efforts to a stated long-term commitment to a sustainable local film ecosystem rather than reliance on a narrow set of projects or a short calendar window.

Among the infrastructure plans, Screen Daily reported earlier this year that Malta Film Studios in Kalkara would feature an environment-controlled indoor water tank as part of the proposed super stage. The facility described by the trade publication is planned to include about 4,000 square metres of floor area and a roof rising roughly 26 metres high, built to accommodate heavy aerial equipment such as helicopters.

Screen Daily also described the concept elements that distinguish the land-sea proposal from standard soundstage setups: it would be positioned strategically near an existing deep tank, with a submarine inside the water tank and an aircraft carrier inside the deep tank as part of what it called an “infinite horizon” visual approach. Grech told Screen Daily that the combination of scale, location, and the ability to stage complex maritime and aircraft sequences was intended to make Malta a venue for the industry’s larger projects.

In the same interview reported by The Hollywood Reporter, Grech also addressed personal details alongside policy and construction updates, including remarks about why he named his dog after Ridley Scott. The Hollywood Reporter did not frame that comment as part of any formal production policy, but it appeared in the broader profile as Grech discussed his ongoing effort to keep Malta’s film footprint expanding as new facilities are developed.

Grech’s statements underscore that Malta’s film policy is being pursued through multiple levers at once: physical production infrastructure, crew development financing, and continued incentive support intended to sustain investment. With the festival spotlight on the sector and the studio concept described publicly, the next phase for the effort is likely to hinge on construction and delivery timelines for the land-sea stage concept as well as the rollout details for training and scholarship support.