The aim of the Screen Support Scheme – Strand 6: International is to support the promotion stage of cultural and creative audiovisual productions that have been completed not more than 18 months before the submission of a complete application or that are in an advanced development stage. The Strand will be limited to the following productions that meet the eligible cultural criteria: animation, documentaries, and fiction.

The strand provides financial support in the form of a grant to individual audiovisual professionals and independent audiovisual entities to:

1. assist producers who intend to self-distribute a qualifying production (finished) and/or seek sales agents or distributors or similar service providers to distribute and reach out to international audiences with a qualifying film (finished)
2. participate with a selected film (not in competition), selected short film (only if in competition), or participation at a market (on condition that the applicant has been selected)
3. support costs related to festival submissions of qualifying productions to recognised international festivals (Refer to Section 10 Appendices for a list of approved festivals)

In the event that the applicant is a minority co-producer, the support may cover only a percentage of the costs, equivalent to the percentage of the copyright in the film held by the applicant (for promotional support and international festival submissions) and the costs sustained by the persons indicated in Section 3.5 of these guidelines and regulations (for international festival participation).

Applicants are encouraged to give due consideration, as appropriate, to the principles explained in the Right to Culture – Resource Pack when developing their proposal in relation to how they engage with communities and the considerations of everyone’s cultural rights in their work. This resource pack is aimed at increasing awareness regarding inclusivity and supporting the implementation of cultural rights in our day-to-day practice.

Applicants are also expected to give due consideration, as appropriate, to the main principles outlined in the Charter for the Status of the Artist when proposing their operational and programming activities to ensure fair and just working conditions for artists. These include the right to artistic freedom, improved accessibility, formal/informal/non-formal skill recognition, decent socio-economic conditions, non-discrimination and equity, ethical considerations, and adherence to intellectual property rights and international labour law. The Charter for the Status of the Artist is meant to provide a dynamic frame of reference for any legislation, policy, or initiative which directly or indirectly impacts artists and cultural and creative sectors, ensuring that any action is aligned with the ultimate long-term vision of elevating the status of artists in Malta in line with their tangible value to society.