The history of Mediterranean Film Studios
In 1963 the SFX wizard Benjamin ‘Jim’ Hole was filming on the Spanish coast when he encountered stormy seas which turned his filming experience into a nightmare.
It was during a visit in Malta one year later when Jim decided to build a shallow “horizon” tank for his next water-based film called “The Bedford Incident”. The tank was built with the aid of government subsidies offered by the British government which then ruled the island. The tank was later kept in operation for other potential films and aka Malta Film Facilities or MFF was born.
MFF hosted several large films and mini-series like “Orca the Killer Whale” and “Christopher Columbus”. In 1980 a second tank, this time concave-shaped, was built by British producer Lord Grade for the film “Raise the Titanic”.
In 1963 the SFX wizard Benjamin ‘Jim’ Hole was filming on the Spanish coast when he encountered stormy seas which turned his filming experience into a nightmare.
It was during a visit in Malta one year later when Jim decided to build a shallow “horizon” tank for his next water-based film called “The Bedford Incident”. The tank was built with the aid of government subsidies offered by the British government which then ruled the island. The tank was later kept in operation for other potential films and aka Malta Film Facilities or MFF was born.
MFF hosted several large films and mini-series like “Orca the Killer Whale” and “Christopher Columbus”. In 1980 a second tank, this time concave-shaped, was built by British producer Lord Grade for the film “Raise the Titanic”.
"Raise the Titanic" was a box-office failure but it left behind the Deep Tank which is unique in the world.
MFF became renowned not only for its unique horizon tanks but also for its skilled construction workforce. Eventually MFF's name was changed to “Mediterranean Film Studios” or MFS.
During it's first 30 years the company was managed by various government political appointees. Notably the most long-standing manager was the late Paul Avellino who quickly earned himself an international reputation.
An aerial view of the Shallow Tank (left) and the Deep Tank (right). The tanks face N/E.
In the mid-90’s the Maltese government, adhering to its policy for privatization, decided to 'hand-over' MFS to a Canadian businessman Charles J. Falzon. The mid-to late 90's also saw large films being shot at MFS such as “White Squall”, “Cut-Throat Island” and “U-571”. The privatization of MFS proved to be an important step for the company.
However, the company’s overheads were increasing fast and becoming unsustainable against what was essentially still a very volatile industry. The company had inherited over 40 employees from its state ownership. It was the addition of a failed theme park that proved to be the major blow.
In 1998 the company radically downsized its management team. Local production manager Malcolm Scerri-Ferrante (founder of PCP) was appointed by Catalyst Entertainment Inc. (Toronto) to head its production and marketing departments. In the two years that followed he introduced radical new policies and business practises. He fostered the inclusion of Maltese crew from the local TV industry and tapped into such resources as university graduates in order to build a healthier local crew base. Previously hardly any Maltese enjoyed key positions on film shoots and only a rare few were qualified "assistants". He also opened the studio's doors to the national press which helped the public (as well as politicians) become aware of the enormous potential of the film industry and the urgent need for national support to ensure growth in the industry.
Meanwhile the year 1999 was to become the busiest year for MFS in what was then it's 35 year old history. It was so busy that one day actually saw two productions filming in the same tank.
Despite these busy phases the financial debts of MFC were too big to disappear overnight and the failed theme park, which had begun running at an operating loss, was finally shut down in 2000. In that same year German entrepreneur Jost Merten, then a minority shareholder, become MFS's new owner.
Today, MFS' long-standing specialization in boat building, model work and water special effects remains a strong attraction to producers.
However, the company’s overheads were increasing fast and becoming unsustainable against what was essentially still a very volatile industry. The company had inherited over 40 employees from its state ownership. It was the addition of a failed theme park that proved to be the major blow.
In 1998 the company radically downsized its management team. Local production manager Malcolm Scerri-Ferrante (founder of PCP) was appointed by Catalyst Entertainment Inc. (Toronto) to head its production and marketing departments. In the two years that followed he introduced radical new policies and business practises. He fostered the inclusion of Maltese crew from the local TV industry and tapped into such resources as university graduates in order to build a healthier local crew base. Previously hardly any Maltese enjoyed key positions on film shoots and only a rare few were qualified "assistants". He also opened the studio's doors to the national press which helped the public (as well as politicians) become aware of the enormous potential of the film industry and the urgent need for national support to ensure growth in the industry.
Meanwhile the year 1999 was to become the busiest year for MFS in what was then it's 35 year old history. It was so busy that one day actually saw two productions filming in the same tank.
Despite these busy phases the financial debts of MFC were too big to disappear overnight and the failed theme park, which had begun running at an operating loss, was finally shut down in 2000. In that same year German entrepreneur Jost Merten, then a minority shareholder, become MFS's new owner.
Today, MFS' long-standing specialization in boat building, model work and water special effects remains a strong attraction to producers.
A large tanker built inside the Shallow Tank
