Interview with the Italian Film Commissions Association. Insights from President Jacopo Chessa and Vice Presidents Alessandra Miletto & Fabio Abagnato on Italy’s Audiovisual Landscape

The Italian Film Commissions Association (IFC) is the national body that coordinates Italy’s 19 regional Film Commissions. The association promotes Italy as a strategic destination for both national and international audiovisual productions, representing the system’s shared interests and fostering cooperation among regions.

Among its priorities are the training of local crews and the strengthening of operational skills, as demonstrated by the recent national training held during the Bif&st – Bari International Film Festival, which involved the entire network of Italian Film Commissions.

Italy Meets Hollywood interviewed the Association’s President, Jacopo Chessa (Director of the Veneto Film Commission), and Vice Presidents Alessandra Miletto (Director of the Valle d’Aosta Film Commission) and Fabio Abagnato (Director of the Emilia-Romagna Film Commission), to take stock of the IFC’s role, current challenges, and future outlook.

What is the role of the Italian Film Commissions Association in today’s Italian audiovisual landscape?
Can you give us an overview of the network you represent and the coordination work among regional Film Commissions?

The role of the Italian Film Commissions is to ensure the actions of each regional commission are as aligned as possible and in step with the fast-paced changes of the Italian audiovisual industry. On one hand, the IFC works with organizations tasked with promoting Italian cinema abroad; on the other, it supports those engaged in the sector’s domestic development. The Association also serves as a forum for exchange and training, contributing to the professional growth of Film Commissions, which are increasingly becoming key coordinators in the local audiovisual ecosystem.

What regional funding tools are available, and how do they integrate with national government measures?

The majority of independent films produced in Italy rely on a mix of regional and national funding. Some regions also directly or indirectly support non-independent productions—usually large group projects—especially in serialized content, but also in film. The total annual regional support amounts to roughly €60 million, though this varies considerably from region to region. Thanks in part to the IFC’s work, there is a growing awareness among Italian regions of the value of investing in the audiovisual sector—not only for its promotional return, but also for job creation and the broader economic impact it can deliver.

What concrete actions are you taking to strengthen the international presence of Italian Film Commissions and promote the regions?
Have you already identified key events, including in the U.S., that you plan to attend in the coming months?

Film Commissions—both Italian and international—have historically been very active and dynamic in international markets. These include events focused on locations, such as Focus London, attended by line producers and location managers, as well as major festivals like Cannes, where Film Commissions are well represented to present local incentives and promote their regions. In the U.S., the IFC has already participated in the AFM (American Film Market) and will be present again in 2025, in coordination with Cinecittà, the national agency for the international promotion of Italian cinema and with the support of the Italian Trade Agency, which organizes the Italian delegation.

What is one little-known aspect of your region that you believe could surprise and attract U.S. audiovisual professionals?
Is there a location, tradition, technical or cultural resource you’d like to highlight for those in the international film industry who may not be familiar with your area?

For a long time, the relationship between major American productions and Italian locations has been built on trust. The connection between the studios and Italian regions has often gone through a handful of exceptional executive producers in whom Americans place great trust. In recent years, Film Commissions have entered this virtuous cycle, enriching it with new proposals—not just in terms of locations but also services—making the Italian offering even more attractive to the U.S. Many hidden corners of Italian regions have already been discovered by American productions, sometimes disguised as non-Italian settings, but that’s part of the game. In addition to extraordinary locations and top-tier professionals, what Italy uniquely offers is the quality of life around film production—our cities and landscapes—which is a major asset for talent and crew and something other countries may struggle to provide.

Looking ahead to next year, what are IFC’s strategic priorities?
Is there a shared agenda among the Commissions to address structural challenges in the sector, such as multi-year planning or strengthening the national network?

Italian Film Commissions are very diverse entities, but they share common goals: promoting their locations, developing their regional sectors, and boosting internationalization. We’ve launched thematic working groups to share best practices, significantly increased coordination meetings among directors, and are aligning partnership strategies, projects, and both short- and long-term initiatives. Our goal is to be as visible and present as possible—as a reference point for Italy’s regional audiovisual ecosystem.

Access IFC official website