The film 13 Hours The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi is the biggest production ever to be filmed in Malta since the Malta Film Commission was set up with a direct injection in the economy of around $50 million, Tourism Edward Zammit Lewis said today.

The American action thriller film directed by Michael Bay is in the last days of production in Malta.  It tells the story of six members of the security team who fought to defend the American diplomatic compound in Benghazi when it came under attack in 2013. The film is based on the book by Mitchell Zuckoff.

Most of the filming took place in Mosta. Other locations where filming took place included Valletta, Corradino and Manoel Island.

Filming in Malta started last April and is expected to be released by Paramount Pictures on January 15.

Film Commissioner Engelbert Grech said Malta is experiencing one of the busiest years in its film industry and a film of this magnitude would most certainly boost Malta’s reputation as a film friendly destination.

Having a number of well-established filmmakers choosing Malta added to the country’s prestige in film servicing.  With directors like Michael Bay, Steven Spielberg, Ridley Scott and Kevin Reynolds shooting on the island, Malta was living up to its name as the Mini Hollywood of the Mediterranean, he said.

Dr Zammit Lewis said Malta had a very competitive industry and the momentum was being retained for future success.

He said the film industry had a very positive and direct impact on the economy. Malta’s movie industry was also playing a vital part in enhancing the visibility of the Maltese islands on the wider global scale. It was attracting tourists who wanted to visit locations featured in their favourite movies, referred to as ‘screen tourism’.

He said that his ministry had set up a consultative council to draft a proper film policy to guarantee a sustainable film industry. This was planned to be launched by the end of the year.