Malta shines at Emmys as Netflix hits ‘Adolescence’ and ‘The Studio’ bag seven awards

Netflix’s harrowing British mini-series *Adolescence* and the Hollywood satire *The Studio* swept the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards on Monday night, but while the after-parties raged in downtown Los Angeles, the real buzz on Maltese social media was closer to home: “Did ya see? They mentioned us!”

In his acceptance speech for Outstanding Limited Series, *Adolescence* creator Jack Thorne thanked the “tiny island that let us film its cliffs when the UK was locked in winter.” He never uttered the word “Malta,” yet local crew instantly recognised the crumbling Gozitan bastions of Ta’ Ċenċ doubling as a Mediterranean police station, and the neon-lit Valletta alley that stood in for a Leeds underpass. Within minutes, Facebook groups like *Gozo Film Locations* exploded with side-by-side screenshots captioned “That’s our doorstep!” and nostalgic quips about the 2023 shoot that kept village bars buzzing for six freezing weeks.

Tourism Minister Clayton Bartolo wasted no time riding the wave, posting a sunrise snap of Ta’ Ċenċ with the hashtag #EmmyWink and promising to “keep Malta at the top of every location scout’s call-sheet.” The Malta Film Commission confirmed that inward-production spend hit a record €120 million in 2023, with *Adolescence* alone injecting €3.4 million into Gozo’s economy—hiring 140 locals, booking 3,200 bed-nights, and leaving behind a refurbished farmhouse now marketed on Airbnb as “The Emmy Loft.”

Across the harbour, the Valletta Film Culture Society hosted a sold-out midnight screening of *The Studio*, whose fictional streaming giant “Culver+” ruthlessly parodies Tinseltown excess. Audience members sipped *Kinnie* mocktails renamed “Showrunner Spritz” and roared every time a Maltese-cross flag appeared on a soundstage wall—an inside joke planted by set decorator and Żabbar-born graduate Martina Farrugia. “We sneaked it in for the diaspora,” she later grinned on *TVM*’s *Xtra*, admitting the art department printed 30 vinyl stickers after producers vetoed hanging an actual flag.

The Emmy haul—four statuettes for *Adolescence*, three for *The Studio*—was celebrated as vindication of Malta’s screen rebate scheme, which offers up to 40% cash-back. “It’s not just about tax breaks,” argued Johann Grech, Film Commissioner. “It’s about talent. Maltese crews are now Emmy-certified.” Indeed, Gaffer *Jesmond “Jessy” Cassar* became the first Maltese technician to personally hold an Emmy when he stepped onstage as part of the *Adolescence* lighting team, waving a mini *George Cross* flag he later confessed was smuggled inside his sock.

Yet the triumph also sparked cultural soul-searching. *Lovin Malta* columnist *Sandra “Sasha” Micallef* questioned why local stories still struggle to travel: “We can host the world, but when will Maltese writers get Netflix money?” Her sentiment echoed University of Malta media lecturer *Dr. Mario Vella*, who warned of “cargo-cult creativity” unless government matches location incentives with development funds for home-grown IP.

Still, Monday night felt like a communal win. In Xagħra, 72-year-old *Carmenu Xerri* proudly displayed the €150 per diem cheque he earned as an extra—now framed beside his TV. “My grandson saw me on Netflix and said, ‘Grandpa’s famous!’” In Sliema, teenage filmmakers from *Kinemastik* youth lab gathered at *Sotto* to live-stream the ceremony, cheering Cassar’s cameo and vowing to submit their short *Kartaġiniż* to next year’s student Emmys.

By Tuesday morning, *Air Malta* (recently re-branded *KM Malta Airlines*) reported a 28% spike in UK searches for February flights, while *Visit Gozo* launched a self-drive map titled *“Walk the Emmy Cliffs.”* Even opposition MP *Karol Aquilina* crossed party lines to congratulate the crew, reminding parliament that “culture is the one budget line that pays for itself.”

As the red-carpet confetti is swept away, Malta is left with more than bragging rights. The Emmys have cemented the archipelago’s reputation as a versatile back-lot, but they’ve also fired up a new generation determined to swap supporting roles for lead parts. If policymakers answer that creative call, next time the thank-you speech might name-check Maltese stories—not just Maltese stones.