Two recent developments have brought to the fore the film servicing industry, because Malta, at least so far, does not have a film industry proper, though it could do with one.

Luisa Bonello, who has occupied the post of Film Commissioner for the past four years, resigned for personal reasons, saying that after 11 years in the industry she felt it was the right time to “move on and seek new challenges”.

Her departure has been regretted by people involved in the industry. In fact, in recent years, the Malta Film Commission did quite a good job despite the limited funding and resources at its disposal.

Not long before Ms Bonello stepped down, a production service firm – the Producers’ Creative Partnership – expressed concern about the lack of film crew here. Ms Bonello acknowledged the shortage of skilled people, which led film-makers to seek other locations where labour is “more plentiful, specialised or cheaper”.

Evidently, notwithstanding the efforts made by stakeholders, notably the Film Commission, the scene is not quite set yet.

Given the lack of private funding available, the government really has no choice but to dig deep in its pocket if it wants to improve the situation and kick-start its own film industry.

There is the training aspect that needs attention too; finding the right people with potential, sharpening their skills and retaining them. Training schemes still lack. Yet, apart from some sporadic efforts to hold short courses, notably in 2005, when the Employment and Training Corporation had launched short courses, not much has been done. An attempt by a private enterprise to hold a production management course had to be aborted after it found no tangible encouragement by the powers-that-be.

As things stand, the government is being viewed as being largely inactive in building this industry and making it sustainable. Pity because, over the years, it did make some good decisions that paid dividends. It set up the Film Commission in 1999, proving it recognises the importance of the film industry. It then launched a refund scheme in 2005, whereby producers filming in Malta get up to 22 per cent back of what they spend here, a move credited with the influx of film productions. A film fund to turn “dabblers” into possible serious film-makers was also launched. A scheme, now expired, had offered film companies a reduced tax rate for a period of time.

Mistakes, including some big ones, there have been too, notably a decision in the early 1990s to make a substantial investment in a production that went awry and the sale of the Mediterranean Film without controlling where it was going. The handling of the Film Commission had its failings too, particularly where instances of conflict of interest emerged.

A well-devised, long-term plan to educate young crew members and develop training schemes never materialised, even if this year a series of short “weekend” courses will be held. Unfortunately, these will mainly cater for those with regular weekday jobs and focus on the top creative and executive sectors of the film industry.

Neither did the government give serious consideration as how to encourage further investment in the infrastructure. Over a year ago, during the Budget debate, plans for a film sound stage were mentioned and, in 2006, a study had been commissioned on the industry requirements. What has happened since?

It seems, after so many years of experience, the storyboard still requires a lot of work. The new Film Commissioner will face quite a task.