From Hollywood to Cinecitta, Italy Doubles Film Distribution Fund

An Italian fund worth 1.2 million Euros (roughly $1.27 million) will boost the theatrical distribution of films around the world to roughly 2 million euros. The goal is to increase Italian made films and movies onto streaming services and television. 

In an interview with Variety, head of special projects, Directorate General for Cinema and Audiovisual-Ministry of Culture at Cinecittà, Roberto Stabile said, “What we would like to do is increase the distribution of Italian movies all around the world.” He continued with “This support will increase the presence of Italian audiovisual content not only in cinemas, but also on streaming platforms, online distribution, television, everything.” 

The fund was set up by the Italian government several years ago by the Italian Ministry of Culture in collaboration with Cinecittà and the Italian Trade Agency. The guidelines are released yearly with the intention to have funding “specifically dedicated to the provision of contributions for the theatrical distribution of Italian films in the world,” as stated in the Fund guidelines.

Every year new guidelines are set to make sure Italian films fall within the budget allocated to them while being distributed world wide. The new guidelines for 2023 will be announced at this year's Cannes Film Festival in France. 

Stabile has been traveling to different countries to explore distribution opportunities. Most recently he traveled to Hong Kong for the FilMart Market where, along with five other Italian companies, Stabile aims to restart operations in Asia. 

“We are coming back to Hong Kong after three years and we have a lot of meetings with all our friends from Asia – so it is a very positive impression.” After his trip to Asia, the plan is to visit Costa Rica and the delegation of animation producers of Central America.