Millions for the Few: How Nationalist Insiders Are Still Feasting on State Funds

Old faces, new favours — and Labour supporters left outside the gate

 

 

While thousands of creatives, professionals, and producers struggle to find a single opportunity in Malta’s media and entertainment industry, a privileged clique of well-known Nationalist insiders continues to rake in millions — this time under the cover of state-funded film rebates.

 

According to information tabled in Parliament, three production companies have emerged as primary beneficiaries of this generous scheme. The numbers are staggering, and the names are all too familiar.

 

 

The Golden Club of State-Funded Projects

 

1. Greatt Company Ltd — €2.8 million and counting

 

Owned by former PN officials Anton Attard and Mark Grech (il-Guru), this company has claimed massive production costs for several prime-time shows:

 

• €2.5 million for Big Brother Malta (Season 1)

 

 

• €1.3 million for X Factor Malta (Season 4)

 

 

• €950,000 for MasterChef

 

And while rebates only cover part of those expenses, Greatt still stands to receive €2.8 million in taxpayer funds — on top of the €300,000 already paid out for The Voice Kids Final and Malta’s Got Talent.

 

All of this, of course, is on top of previous grants and contracts received when these same names controlled PBS, Net TV, and Malta’s cultural calendar during the PN years.

 

 

2. Media Exclusive — €1.4 million earmarked

 

Behind this company are Ben Camille, Christian Gravina, Martina Zammit, and Lara Caruana — familiar names in media circles. They’re the producers of:

 

• Love Island Malta (Seasons 1 & 2)

 

 

• Family Feud Malta

 

Their reward? A further €1.4 million in film rebates, courtesy of the Maltese taxpayer.

 

 

Labour Supporters Are Furious — And Rightly So

 

This is why Labourites are angry. Very angry.

 

Because the same names who were swimming in public money under PN governments are still winning big — even with Labour in power.

 

• Where are the opportunities for new voices?

 

 

• Where is the support for independent creatives not tied to the political or media elite?

 

 

• Why are PL loyalists and professionals being shut out, while the old guard gets richer?

 

 

This isn’t about talent. It’s about connections — and those connections still lead back to the PN’s golden circle, even under a so-called “progressive” administration.

 

 

This Is Not What Labour Promised

 

The Labour Government was elected on a mandate of justice, inclusion, and fairness.

 

But this is state money being funneled to the same privileged few, while others with equal or greater talent are locked out of the system.

 

Is this the Malta we fought for?

 

Where Labour supporters do the groundwork, but Nationalist-linked insiders cash the cheques?

 

This scandal isn’t just about money.

 

It’s about betrayal.

 

Betrayal of those who believed Malta had moved on from the elite networks of the PN.

 

Betrayal of those who thought their Labour government would defend fairness.

 

And betrayal of every honest, hardworking creative who remains outside the gates — watching the same old names laugh their way to the bank, year after year.

 

If this is the cultural sector we’re building, then nothing has changed.