Estimates show that the rapidly growing film industry will attract a record €80 million to Malta by the end of this year, Tourism Minister Edward Zammit Lewis said yesterday.

In 2013 the industry yielded €5 million and this increased to €29 million last year. This year, the amount invested so far has already surpassed last year's, he said.

Dr Zammit Lewis was speaking to members of the public who attended the first Gvern li Jisma (Government that listens) meeting of the year – a series of public meetings held by ministers and parliamentary secretaries.

At the moment three movies were being filmed and the industry was struggling to keep up, he said.

Government would be issuing a request for proposals to maximise the use of the Rinella film studios and a plan was expected by the beginning of next year.

Gozo was also benefiting from the growing film industry, he said, adding that people in Gozo called him “the film minister”.