Malta – the Mediterranean’s Hollywood

Welcome to event planners and Destination Management Companies (DMCs) all over the world.

A Prestigious Location

The Maltese Islands have been home to Hollywood blockbusters such as Gladiator, U-571, The Count of Monte Cristo, Troy,Munich as well as prestigious dramas and sitcoms such as the BBC’s Byron and ITV’s Coronation Street.

The islands’ beautiful, unspoiled coastlines and breathtaking architecture have ‘doubled’ for an amazing variety of locations on the big and small screens – from ancient Rome to 19th-century Marseille and 1960’s Beirut. Steven Spielberg, Ridley Scott, Wolfgang Petersen, Guy Ritchie and other renowned directors, as well as a host of A-list celebrities such as Russell Crowe, Brad Pitt, Sharon Stone, Madonna and Sean Connery, all experienced Malta’s movie making facilities and its many charms.

What A-Listers and Hollywood Directors say about Malta

This is a taster of what has been said about Malta – its versatility and diversity in terms of locations and ambiences. We are not film-makers but we do pride ourselves of the venues and locations so widely-appreciated all over the world  Hollywood included.

The smartest thing I ever did was to go to Malta.
Renny Harlin

We shot in Malta because there were some locations that allow us to have the environments already ready without having to rebuild and Malta have a fantastic Film Commission.
Andrea Lervolino

You could shoot a film of any period here
Charlton Heston

On Fort Ricasoli it offered us the space, and it was enclosed by these ancient-looking stone walls with arches and some building we eventually did interiors in. We created a kind of Roman backlot. Fort Ricasoli it offered us the space, and it was enclosed by these ancient-looking stone walls with arches and some building we eventually did interiors in. We created a kind of Roman backlot.
Arthur MaxProduction Designer,

Gladiator
Malta is actually a film set. You can shoot wherever you go, wherever you look
Mie AndreasenProducer,

The Holiday
Whereas most of the rest of Europe has been taken over by modern architecture, Malta still retains a very unique look with all the old forts that are made out of huge stone blocks. As a consequence it is very unique, and I can’t think of another place where one could have found anything that would have looked like a Mediterranean port circa 1815.
Kevin Reynolds Director

The Count of Monte Cristo
Malta has built a reputation as the Mediterranean’s mini-Hollywood.
Daniel Rosenthal Journalist

The Times of London
When we first read the script there were a host of location requirements that looked impossible to fill – a Marseille Port in 1790’s; an isolated prison atop majestic cliffs; caves with crystal water; streets that could be readily transformed back 200 years. It all seemed impossible – that is under our director, Kevin Reynolds had spent less than one day in Malta. Kevin had planned to visit half dozen different countries in search of these quite difficult and quite specific locations. Happily for all of us, Malta was his first and last stop.
Chris Brigham Director

The Count of Monte Cristo
The Mediterranean is as blue as an angel’s eyes, warm, and so clear that you can watch a veiled tropical fish weaving round a thousand feet below the surface.
Jeffrey Junter, Actor

Single Handed
2000 years back in time….in the space of 30 minutes.
Ted Kurdlya, Producer

Helen of Troy
You just can’t find places like this in the UK and it’s difficult to act plausibly in front to a green screen…..Malta delivers all these amazing locations that only add to the atmosphere of the film
Jonas Armstrong, Actor

The Whale
We used a lot of locally based people. We had great crews who were both experienced and enthusiastic.
Kathleen Kennedy, Producer

Munich
We shot in Malta because there were some locations that allow us to have the environments already ready without having to rebuild and Malta have a fantastic Film Commission.
Otto Heller, Cinematographer

Can Heironymus Merkin Ever Forget Mercy Humppe and Find True Happiness?
The Maltese are trustworthy; Malta is inexpensive and the labour is good. Not only that, the locals are just plain fun. It’s been a case of home away from home here.
Guy Ritchie, Director

Swept Away
Malta provided the best possible location for a film like Agora. The period backdrops, the climate, the quality English speaking crews and the wonderful possibilities of the casting and extras together with Malta being part of the EU, have made our lives easier.
Fernando Bovaira, Producer

Agora
What we got out of Malta was terrific. It’s very much a studio situation and it’s the best water facility I know of.
Ridley Scott, Director

White Squall and Gladiator