Malta bids to be crowned Europe’s top film location

It’s famously been described as ‘the Hollywood of the Mediterranean’.

And now Malta is in the running to be crowned the best film location in Europe.

Fort St Elmo in Valletta has been shortlisted for the top award by the Association of European Film Commissions.

The fort, which was built by the Knights in 1552, featured extensively in the opening scenes of ‘Murder on the Orient Express’, directed by Sir Kenneth Branagh.

The film, starring Dame Judi Dench, Johnny Depp, Penélope Cruz, Derek Jacobi and Michelle Pfeiffer, was based on the novel of the same name by Agatha Christie.

The Valletta fort, which now houses Malta’s National War Museum, doubled up for the Wailing Wall of Jerusalem.

The Malta Film Commission has urged the public to vote for Fort St Elmo, which is up against 11 other film locations, including Corfu, Frankfurt, Brussels and Tenerife.

To vote for Malta, here’s how you can help:

1. Visit Cineuropa’s Fort St Elmo page
2. Enter your e-mail address
3. Enter the verification code and click Submit
4. You’ll receive an email with a confirmation link to validate your vote

It’s as easy as that!

Winning the best film location award would be another huge boost for the Maltese movie-making industry.

Malta, Gozo and Comino have been home to a number of Hollywood blockbusters over the years, including Gladiator, World War Z, Captain Phillips, U-571, The Count of Monte Cristo, Troy, Munich as well as the BBC’s Byron and ITV’s Coronation Street.

The islands’ beautiful coastlines and breathtaking architecture have ‘doubled’ for an amazing variety of locations – from ancient Rome to Beirut in the 1960s.

Steven Spielberg, Ridley Scott, Guy Ritchie and other renowned directors have filmed in Malta.

A host of big name stars such as Russell Crowe, Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Sharon Stone, Madonna and Sir Sean Connery have all experienced Malta’s movie making facilities and its many charms.

 

Read more: Malta Film Commission