Pineapple Media

Pineapple Media is a production company that helps film-makers shoot in Malta. It does not simply hire out a camera: it organises the practical side of a shoot, from the budget and the crew to the cars, hotels and insurance, so that a director or producer arriving from the UK or elsewhere can concentrate on the creative work.

The company is based in Birkirkara and works with both local film-makers and international productions. Listed in our video production directory, it is a natural first call for anyone weighing up Malta as a location.

Why film in Malta

Three advantages stand out. The first is a growing film industry with production facilities and a track record of hosting international projects. The second is a financial incentive: Malta offers a cash rebate of up to 40% on qualifying expenditure incurred in the country, and Pineapple Media works with the Malta Film Commission to help clients apply and complete the paperwork.

The third is the setting and the climate. With more than 300 sunny days a year, outdoor shoots can be planned with more confidence, and the islands offer a mix of locations within a short drive. Our guides to historic Valletta, Mdina, the silent city and the island of Gozo show the kind of stone streets, bastions and countryside producers often look for, and our month-by-month weather guide helps with scheduling.

The people and what they do

Pineapple Media was founded by Ben Borg Cardona and Roger Zammit, both industry veterans. Ben is a producer and director of photography who has produced documentaries, feature films and television shows for international and local brands. Roger is a producer and production manager whose work includes international feature films, television dramas, commercials and documentaries.

Between them they have built an extensive network of suppliers and crew, which lets a visiting producer reach the right people quickly, often at competitive prices. Its services cover production budgeting, applying for and collecting incentives such as the cash rebate, hiring crew, casting actors and extras, location scouting and management, sourcing and renting film equipment, supplying transport and facilities vehicles, booking flights and hotels for crew and cast, and arranging insurance specific to filming in Malta.

Planning a shoot

A production service company is most useful early, and it pays to bring it in before locations and dates are fixed. Before you commit to dates, talk through the script, the number of shooting days, the locations you want and how many people will travel. The company can then advise on eligibility for the incentive and the documents it needs, and on realistic crew and equipment availability.

If your team is travelling from Britain, check flights to Malta and our guide to where to stay in Malta while the schedule takes shape. For a quick background on the islands, read our overview of about Malta. Directors with spare time can also browse the best beaches in Malta when scouting seaside scenes.

Getting in touch

The company welcomes projects of every size, from small independent films to large-scale productions, and tailors its services to each one. The website does not print rates, so ask for an indicative budget when you describe the project, and say whether you want the company to cover everything or only parts of the shoot such as casting, locations or transport.

A useful first message gives the type of production, rough dates, the locations you have in mind and whether you will need crew, equipment or casting, plus any dates that cannot move. Producers new to the island may also want to ask how the rebate process works and when the money is paid, so that the budget reflects the real timeline. Use the VisitMalta.co.uk enquiry form on this page and we will pass your message to Pineapple Media.