Italy’s Audiovisual Industry Grows to €16.3 Billion, Strengthening Its Global Role

Presented during the MIA Market in Rome, the Seventh APA Report on Audiovisual Production (October 2025) confirms the steady expansion of Italy’s audiovisual sector, which has reached a total value of €16.3 billion, marking a 9% increase over the previous year. The report highlights a sustained growth trajectory that has outpaced the national GDP, with an average annual increase of 4.6% since 2018, reaffirming the industry’s strategic relevance within Italy’s creative economy.

The analysis shows that television remains the core component, accounting for 52% of the total market, followed by cinema, streaming platforms, animation, and emerging digital formats. Investments in television grew by 7%, while online video maintained a solid 15% growth rate, and cinema exhibition remained stable. The study underscores the sector’s resilience and adaptability amid evolving technologies and audience behaviors, fueled by both domestic and international demand for Italian content.

The Italian audiovisual ecosystem—comprising production companies, broadcasters, independent studios, post-production firms, and service providers—continues to attract global partners. International co-productions and foreign shoots in Italy are increasingly contributing to the country’s economic and cultural vitality, supported by robust public policies such as tax incentives, regional funds, and streamlined production services.

According to Chiara Sbarigia (President of APA – Associazione Produttori Audiovisivi), “The growth in demand and the use of tax credits alone will not have the same expansive effect on the sector. To consolidate the market, it is necessary to focus on a more selective approach to projects, with a strong emphasis on product quality.”

Regarding the 2024–2025 season, Sbarigia noted a significant rise in unscripted content, driven primarily by in-house productions: “Titles are increasing mostly thanks to in-house production, which represents a substantial part of our overall offering.” She also highlighted a phase of stabilization in fiction, with strong performances by renewals, period miniseries, and international co-productions, as well as a resurgence of independent production following years of mergers in the industry.

The report further identifies animation, documentary production, and short-form digital content as key drivers of innovation and cross-border collaboration. Meanwhile, training initiatives and professional exchanges between Italy and major international markets continue to strengthen the competitiveness of Italian talent worldwide.

As part of the same conference, a contribution by Fondazione Symbola was also presented, focusing on female entrepreneurship in the audiovisual sector. According to the analysis, as of December 31, 2024, there were 4,747 women-led companies, accounting for 28.7% of the total, marking an increase compared to 2023 and moving against the overall trend of the national economy.

Looking ahead, this positive trend reinforces Italy’s position as a strategic hub for international productions and a key player in the global creative economy. The ongoing commitment of national institutions—such as the Ministry of Culture, the Italian Trade Agency, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation—underscores Italy’s goal to foster sustainable growth, promote excellence, and expand global opportunities for its creative industries.

Source: APA