When it pulled out all the stops to create the Malta Film Awards, the Malta Film Commission may have been hoping to enjoy the warm afterglow of a glamorous job well done. Instead, the anger felt by many Maltese film creatives sees no sign of abating. Indeed, many feel that the awards, ostensibly meant to ‘celebrate’ 100 years of Maltese film, were the proverbial straw that broke the camel’s back. The Maltese film community, like many in the creative sector, has long been frustrated by what it sees as the total incomprehension by government as to what is needed to allow it to thrive. Too often decisions are being taken that, it seems, are hindering the industry instead of helping it. The negative reaction to the awards ceremony was a case in point. With such little funding available for the local film industry, many felt insulted that money was found for a self-congratulatory occasion for the commission. Any claims that the occasion served as a calling card to attract international business were quite rightly laughed off. International film producers do not need copycat awards ceremonies to decide whether to come to Malta or not. And filmgoers do not check out a film depending on...