Halo Pictures

Halo Pictures is a production servicing company: it helps international studios and producers make films and television series in Malta by looking after the practical work on the ground. Its tagline is film and TV production made easy, and the offer is simple. The company manages the details so that the creative team can focus on the picture.

The company works from an industrial estate in San Ġwann and is part of our video production directory. This page explains the services, the leadership and how a producer might start a conversation.

What the company handles

Production servicing is the term used when a local company supports a visiting production. Instead of a studio employing its own staff in every country it films in, it hires a local team to arrange permissions, crew, equipment and suppliers, and to keep the paperwork in order. For a UK producer this saves time and reduces the risk of costly mistakes on an unfamiliar island.

Producers shooting abroad meet many local requirements at once. Halo Pictures manages work permits, visas, accounts, crew engagement, the rental of equipment and the contracting of suppliers. The team has experience with international television series and full-length feature films, and no project is considered too large or too small.

Productions benefit from a 40% cash rebate on eligible spending in Malta. Ask the team how the rebate applies to your budget, what paperwork it requires and when you can expect payment, because these points shape a production's cashflow.

The home page shows Secret Service for ITV, The Assassin for Amazon and The Count of Monte Cristo as examples of the content the company works on.

Leadership and track record

The company is managed by Engelbert Grech, who has more than 30 years in the audio visual industry. He was Malta's Film Commissioner from 2013 to 2017, a period in which the country serviced more than 50 productions. These included Assassin's Creed, 13 Hours, By the Sea, Entebbe and Murder on the Orient Express.

He was also chief executive of the Malta Film Studios, known for its unusual water tanks, which served productions for studios and broadcasters including EuropaCorp, BBC Films, ITV, RAI and Yash Raj Films. That background means the team knows the island's film community, suppliers and authorities well.

For anyone wanting to understand the wider business climate, our Malta financial services overview and guide to company tax in Malta offer context.

Locations and planning a shoot

Choosing locations early helps the team plan permits and logistics. Malta's mix of fortified cities, cliffs and sea suits many stories. Our guides to historic Valletta, Mdina, the old capital, the island of Gozo and the Blue Lagoon on Comino show the range of settings, and the weather guide helps with scheduling.

Crews travelling from the UK should also review the practical side of the trip. Look at flights to Malta and where to stay in Malta while the schedule is built, and allow time for equipment and cast to arrive before the first day of filming.

Getting in touch

Producers are advised to ask early about availability of crew and equipment on their dates, because more than one production may be filming at once. A useful first message states the type of production, the studio or broadcaster, the dates, the locations in mind, the size of the crew and the services you need from the local team. Halo Pictures does not publish rates, so ask for an outline of costs, a list of what is and is not included, and an idea of how quickly the team can start. Clear answers at this stage make it easier to compare servicing companies fairly before you commit to a schedule.

Use the VisitMalta.co.uk enquiry form on this page and we will pass your message to Halo Pictures.