Malta is back in the international film spotlight. The island nation hosted the fourth edition of its Mediterrane Film Festival in late June by welcoming Hollywood talent like Colin Trevorrow, Renny Harlin, Famke Janssen, Derek Kolstad, Dove Cameron, Andy Tennant, John Cleese, Omar Epps, DeWanda Wise, Robin Tunney, Jack Whitehall and more for the festivities. Amid his hectic schedule, Johann Grech, Malta’s main man at the center of its film industry as commissioner, sat with The Hollywood Reporter for a status update on his ambitious plans for a new land-sea soundstage, a new €2 million scholarship fund and his view on Malta’s future after celebrating a milestone 100th anniversary last year of filming on the island.

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When you spoke at the Golden Bee Awards last year, you said the next 100 years would be better than the first. A year later, how is it going in Malta?

We are still driving that commitment. It will remain. In fact, we are investing heavily in upskilling our crew. We are determined to keep on investing and building the needed infrastructure at the film studios. We committed to continue strengthening the rebate program to remain key players and leaders on the world stage. And by these three elements of our strategy, we’re making sure that the next 100 years will be better than the first. We are putting talk into action. We are making sure that we are building a sustainable industry for many, not just a few. We have pride for what we achieved so far but there is still a lot more to do.

What are you most proud of during your nine years as film commissioner?

Turning the industry from a seasonal one to year-round. Giving more people the opportunity to work in the film industry. We are giving opportunities across different departments of our industry. We just launched a €2 million scholarship fund to support our crews. Currently we are doing a census to identify the skill analysis and where to invest in upskilling. The opportunities are endless, but what we want to do is we want to invest in the right people in the right jobs to help them working up the ladder.

When I was here for the film festival last year, there were seven projects filming in Malta at that time. What projects have been here in 2026?

This year we have had 17 projects including TV series, six feature films, animation projects, co-productions. There were 12 from the U.K. and two from the U.S. The U.K. and the U.S. are key markets for us, as well as Canada, the rest of Europe and now Australia.

Last year, I was impressed to see so many Hollywood studio and production executives here on the ground. I know that was a big part of your strategic push in creating the film festival. Rather than travel to them, build something and invite decision-makers to Malta to see what you have to offer. How successful has that been?

It has been. I created the festival four years ago. It’s very much a child of mine. I created it from a marketing perspective as a tool to help promote the film industry. We are inviting press, directors, executives, screenwriters, location managers and more so they can literally feel and see our product. They can dream here and come up with stories based here. It’s not just about the rebate. It’s not just about the location. It’s about facilitating business here in Malta. The festival is also a place to discuss ideas, to collaborate on projects, to discuss co-productions, to dream and be a part of the conversation globally to ensure that the next generations here will have a better future in film.

A big part of your vision has long been the construction of a soundstage in Malta at the film studios. You had blueprints last year. What’s the update?

We have government approval for the project now, and it’s greenlit. We are finalizing our papers to issue an international call for the project to be financed, built and operated. Our idea for the call is that these studios will be under a 65-year concession, which means the operators will run the show for the coming years. We will build another water tank inside the stage here that will be 20 meters high. The water tank is like a football pitch and six meters deep. It can be used dry or wet. It will also be able to hold two Black Hawk helicopters, that tells you the strength of the whole building. It would be easy for me to build a normal soundstage, but would that be strengthening our position on the global market? I don’t think so. We want to create something unique — and unique is the first global Land Sea Super Stage.

How long will it take to complete?

To build the entire facility — in addition to the soundstage, there will be workshops, offices, production offices, warehouses, etc. — it will take two years. We have every detail in place. We just need to issue this public call.

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Have you lost projects because you don’t have a soundstage?

Yes, unfortunately. Let me give you an example. Jurassic World: Dominion and Rebirth both shot during my time. They required stages, and if there was a stage, they would have increased their shoot days here in Malta and employed more people. We had other productions that required stages and they went to other countries to continue shooting. The business is here. We are investing in infrastructure so that we can service more productions and increase shoot days in Malta. Completing the Land Sea Super Stage will allow Malta to host the big franchise blockbusters and more high-end TV shows because we will have the right infrastructure to literally win the future.

Who do you consider your competition?

Everybody is a competitor; it’s a very competitive market. But I will say that other countries try to compete in terms of our model with the rebate and we will keep enhancing it to remain leaders in the market.

I know a point of pride for you is the versatility of Malta. Not only do you have the water tanks and the ability to film on the sea, but you’ve long been proud of how Malta can sub for so many locations. I recall that Malta subbed for like six or seven countries for Munich. What else is part of your pitch when you’re trying to get projects here?

We have a history of filmmaking that goes back 100 years. We’ve hosted more than 400 productions, nearly half of which have been completed during my time here. On average, each crew member working in the last eight years have worked on 22 productions. Seven out of 10 film crew joined the industry under my administration. For every Euro that we are investing in the rebate, the industry generates four back. Numbers don’t lie.

When we are pitching to the studios, we talk about water tanks, we talk about locations, we talk about how film friendly Malta is, we talk about the skill of our crews and we talk about the rebate. The possibilities are endless and we get things done. We are a country of doers. Our dreams have goals otherwise they are just dreams. Our goal is to keep growing, to keep momentum. I don’t ever say it’s enough. Enough is not a word in our dictionary. These past eight years of growth is just the beginning.

The subject on everyone’s mind in Los Angeles is artificial intelligence. How do you think AI will impact location filming?

I will admit that I’m not an AI expert, but I do know that AI is a tool that can be used to strengthen services or projects. But I still believe that filmmakers want real locations. Filming on the water tanks will always beat anything because you can’t replicate filming on a water tank. AI is a tool to support filmmakers, but I will always prefer a script written by a human and a real location. I don’t use AI for my speeches.

Let’s end with something personal. Your passion doesn’t seem to have a slower gear. How do you rest or relax?

My personal problem is that my mind never stops. It can drive me crazy because you need to rest. I sleep maybe four or five hours a night. Every time I try to go to the gym, my mind always thinks about work. But I do love nature and animals. I have two dogs, a German Shepherd called Scott named for Ridley Scott because I’m so proud that Ridley Scott filmed here twice under my administration with Napoleon and Gladiator 2. My other dog is Benji, who is 10 years old. Scott is one year old. I also love to garden. I love cigars, traveling and I like socializing. But even when I’m socializing, I’m still dreaming.

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Interview edited for length and clarity.