Call for Applications: Screen Support Scheme – Malta

The scheme provides financial support in the form of grant to independent audio-visual entities to develop and produce quality-driven cultural audio-visual productions.

The Screen Support Scheme shall provide financial support for cultural productions including animation projects, documentary, fiction, and cultural programme. It aims to facilitate the creation of eligible works, intended for theatrical release, festivals and broadcast (including VOD/SVOD platforms), that are considered to make a valid contribution to the expression of creativity and culture and are produced according to international standards.

Support can be provided to eligible applicants for their involvement in international co-productions (as majority or minority partners) as long as the application is submitted by the eligible applicant and a co-production agreement is in place (according to industry standards). Projects must display artistic and or technical co-operation between the co-production partners.

Strands

• Strand 1: Screenwriting
• Strand 2: Development
• Strand 3: Short Film
• Strand 4: Production (Feature-length)
• Strand 5: Cultural Programme 

Funding Information

• Strand 1: Screenwriting may cover up to 100% of the costs (up to a maximum of €25,000, whichever is the lowest).
• Strand 2: Development may cover up to 100% of costs (up to a maximum of €50,000, whichever is the lowest).
• Strand 3: Short Film may cover up to 100% of the costs (up to a maximum of €20,000, whichever is the lowest).
• Strand 4: Production (Feature-length) may cover up to 50% up to 60% in the case of co-productions which involve more than one EU member State up to 100% in the case of difficult audiovisual work of the costs (up to a maximum of €300,000, in the case of minority co-productions €50,000, whichever is the lowest).
• Strand 5: Cultural Programme may cover up to 80% of the costs (up to a maximum of €20,000, whichever is the lowest).

Beneficiary

• FOR Strand- 1,2,3,4 and 5:
  • The beneficiary is the recipient of the grant. The beneficiary is responsible for the implementation of the proposal supported by the scheme. The beneficiary of the grant may not be changed throughout the duration of the funded project and until the final disbursement is issued. The disbursement of the grant may only be issued on behalf of the beneficiary. The beneficiary is responsible to ensure that any VAT invoices are issued on behalf of the beneficiary and include the beneficiary’s VAT information.

Eligibility Criteria

• Furthermore, applicants must meet all the following criteria for Strand- 1,2,3,4 and 5:
  • At least one directorship or the majority shareholding of the juridical entity must be ultimately held by Maltese citizens or persons who hold a permanent residence status in Malta.
  • By submitting the application, the applicant declares to be in possession of a complete chain of title. The chain of title documents shall be required only if the project is supported and prior to the signing of the support agreement. If the chain of title is incomplete, ACM will have the right to withdraw any support given.
  • Be registered with the applicable regulating body at the time of submission of their applications.
  • Be in possession of a VAT registration certificate.
  • Where applicable, be the originator of the project, script or treatment or have majority rights (unless the applicant is a minority co-producer) relating to the project for which support is being requested.
  • In the case of inexperienced scriptwriters, they need to be accompanied by an experienced script consultant editor (confirmed by LOI).
  • Submit a complete application under this Strand before the start of works.

Ineligibility Criteria

• Applicants shall be excluded from applying for support if they, or, where applicable, the shareholders or persons having powers of representation or decision-making for Strand- 1,2,3,4 and 5:
  • Have been convicted by final judgement of any of the following offences: participation in a criminal organization, corruption, fraud, money laundering, child labor, human trafficking;
  • Are in a situation of bankruptcy, liquidation, termination of activity, insolvency or arrangement with creditors or any like situation arising from a procedure of the same kind, or subject to a procedure of the same kind; or
  • Have been convicted by final judgement of serious professional misconduct or any other offence relating to professional integrity.
• Applicants whose profile is not verified due to it being incomplete for not having the below mandatory documents:
  • A copy of their Maltese ID card (including both front and back); or Maltese residence permit; or Maltese citizenship certificate; or Maltese passport.
• Applicants who do not qualify under the definition of applicant for this specific Strand.
• Beneficiaries who have not honored previous funding commitments.
• Entities who have not presented the required annual documentation to the Malta Business Registry.
• Organizations activities receiving local public funds through established government line votes.

For more information, visit Arts Council Malta.