The epic movie Troy, which is being released in cinemas worldwide this week, spent nearly Lm12 million in Malta, where it was filmed last year, the Malta Film Commission said, stressing its impact on the economy.

It spent more than Gladiator (around Lm9 million) during the nine months of pre-production, shooting, scrapping of sets and wrapping, and was "the biggest movie to be shot on the island," film commissioner Oliver Mallia said.

The movie industry was in fact one of the most rewarding sectors of the economy last year, with Troy alone pumping Lm11.8 million into the country, he pointed out.

Mr Mallia said Troy's impact on the economy highlighted the importance of attracting major productions to Malta's shores. The multiplier effect of audiovisual productions was such that every $1 spent generated $3 into the economy.

Of the major expenses in Troy, about Lm2.2 million was spent on labour, with the production employing 500 locals for an average period of four months for set construction - mainly at Fort Ricasoli and a Hal Far hangar - on which the production spent another Lm2.2 million.

Over Lm1 million was spent on marine construction and coordination, while other major costs included accommodation, location fees and air travel, amounting to Lm3.3 million.

Apart from craftsmen, Troy also employed up to 300 crew, while 450 foreigners, mainly British, resided in Malta throughout the preparation and production of the movie.

Eight Maltese even travelled with the production to Mexico after the film wrapped in Malta - a sign of how much the industry has advanced over the last four years, Mr Mallia said.

On Friday, when the anticipated Troy is scheduled to be released in 16,000 cinemas in the US and 46 other countries, audiences worldwide can read the names of co-producer Winston Azzopardi, one Maltese actor, Manwel Cauchi, in the role of an "old Spartan fisherman", and as many as 63 Maltese - a "remarkable" figure and more than Gladiator - as they roll up on the credits.

Malta has a credit as a co-producing partner - co-production status, in accordance with the European Convention of Cinematographic Co-production, having been formally granted last week.

Its name is being featured prominently in the marketing of the blockbuster, with posters underlining that it is a UK-Malta co-production, said Luisa Bonello from the MFC.

Speaking about Malta's exposure in the international media thanks to the movie, she said the MFC has given countless press, radio and TV interviews for the US, Europe and even Japan over the past months. Major TV stations, including BBC and Rai, as well top publications, have featured Malta in terms of Troy.

The commission maintained that one of the major ways to promote Malta was through its burgeoning film industry, which has attracted so much coverage.

Troy is featuring Malta in its promotional activities and a programme on the making of the movie was shown on MTV recently, Ms Bonello said.

The first reviews of Troy are mixed, although the film is destined to be a blockbuster. An article on Screen, by critic Mike Goodridge, said Troy was "one of the most intelligent and ambitious tent pole blockbusters to come out of Hollywood in some time" even if it may fail to stir the heart.

Critics have said the sets of the city recall the great classics of Hollywood of the 1950s, while in the production journal, producer Diana Rathbun is quoted as saying that "Malta is a lovely island with wonderful cliff and rock formations; the area where we built Troy was amazing".

Malta is also described as "a country rich in artefacts and archaeological ruins".

The movie is serving as a world showcase of Malta's abilities in terms of crew and services. Despite its limited size, it was the stage for a grand-scale epic, Ms Bonello said.

However, the film commission said, Malta could have done more to capitalise on the situation, which was an ideal marketing opportunity even from the tourism point of view.

Ms Bonello quoted as an example New Zealand, where the tourism industry before Lord of the Rings ranked seventh. Today, it is the second largest industry in the country, while its film industry has grown in leaps and bounds.

Unfortunately, the MFC did not have enough money to expand, and its limited budget prevented the maximum exploitation of the higher awareness of Malta, generated by the movie's global release.

The fact that Malta managed to attract such a big-budget production ($175 million) confirmed its potential as a film destination, Mr Mallia said, warning, however, against resting on one's laurels.

"Troy's total expenditure in Malta proves that such movies are a major contribution to the economy. But the question is, is enough being done to guarantee consistent and constant productions?

"Malta could do more," he argued, pointing out that Eastern European and North African countries have increased their fiscal and financial incentives, offer cheap labour and a good infrastructure.

Mr Mallia said the production company, Warner Bros, was aware of Malta's potential and had an "extremely positive experience here. They were very satisfied with the shooting and, particularly, with the craftsmanship of the boat builders and the set."

However, they were expecting more in terms of incentives, which the MFC has been working on for the past four years, but which have not yet materialised.

The only incentives the government granted to Troy were related to location expenses - Fort Ricasoli was offered at a nominal fee - and extras on the film.

But, compared to other countries, which could offer rebates on local expenditure of up to 20 per cent, Malta could not compete to continue attracting such productions, Ms Bonello said, stressing that it was crucial for the island to remain competitive.

Malta has secured its position on the movie map as far as film locations go, but it still lacked the proper infrastructure and tools, which would invite productions to seek it out, rather than the film commission seeking out and chasing them, she said.

Attracting Troy, whose stellar cast includes Brad Pitt, Orlando Bloom (Lord of the Rings) and Eric Bana (Hulk), to Malta was a result of the proactivity of the film commission, whose efforts were a "determining factor".

The MFC is attending the Cannes Film Festival this week, one of the highlights of which is a special screening of Troy. Unfortunately, however, Malta does not have a pavilion at the festival and would have liked to have a stronger presence to capitalise on the hype around the movie.

Mr Mallia and Ms Bonello have scheduled several meetings with those interested in filming in Malta, as well as introductory meetings with active production companies that are currently developing projects that could be shot in Malta.

The MFC has an advert on Malta being shown every hour on three giant screens, strategically located along the Croisette. However, it should have had a budget that would have allowed it to be even more proactive, they maintained.

Troy is being premiered at the Eden Century Cinemas next Friday in aid of the SPCA, and hits Maltese cinemas on May 19 three days before the UK.

The world premiere was held in Berlin yesterday, followed by New York and the Cannes Film Festival this week.