Italy Takes Center Stage at AFM2025
At the American Film Market in Los Angeles, the Focus on Italy panel was held, organized by the Italian Trade Agency Los Angeles Office, in coordination with the Consulate General of Italy in Los Angeles and in close collaboration with the Ministry of Culture – Directorate General for Cinema and Audiovisual, the Association of Executive Producers (APE), Cinecittà, and the Italian Film Commissions. The session was moderated by Roberto Stabile, Head of the International Department, Cinecittà/DGCA, who guided a wide-ranging conversation on Italy’s growing role as a strategic partner for international productions.
Italy’s participation at AFM25, coordinated by the Italian Trade Agency, brought to California a delegation of producers, distributors, sales agents, and production service companies — a diverse group that reflects the depth and strength of Italy’s audiovisual ecosystem, in a year when the sector reached a record value of €16.3 billion.
During the panel Focus on Italy: A Strategic Hub for International Productions, Riccardo Neri — producer and spokesperson for APE — outlined the association’s central role in supporting foreign producers who choose to shoot in Italy. APE member companies provide comprehensive operational assistance: visa support, logistics, location scouting, crew recruitment, management of tax credit procedures, and guidance through regional funding opportunities. These services, Neri noted, ensure transparency, efficiency, and a level of responsiveness aligned with the standards of major international productions.
Francesca Rotondo of Cinecittà presented the latest developments at the Rome studios, which are currently undergoing a significant phase of infrastructural and technological expansion. From new soundstages to virtual production solutions, from strengthened set construction departments to advanced post-production services, Cinecittà confirms its role as an integrated industrial hub capable of supporting complex projects and collaborating with productions of all scales.
In his remarks, Jacopo Chessa, President of the Italian Film Commissions, emphasized the crucial role regional commissions play in attracting international productions. With free location scouting, institutional assistance, referrals to qualified local crews, and access to regional funding — totaling more than €80 million annually — Italy offers a competitive system that combines national incentives with territorial resources.
During the event, the Consul General of Italy in Los Angeles, Raffaella Valentini, highlighted the global reputation of Italian technicians and creatives for their skill, style, and versatility. Giosafat Riganò, Director of ITA Los Angeles, underscored the sector’s growing international openness and the strategic value of collaborations between Italy and the United States.
The panel concluded by underscoring a shared vision: through the coordinated efforts of institutions, companies, and industry organizations, Italy is solidifying its position as one of the most reliable and attractive partners for the global audiovisual industry. It is an ecosystem that continues to grow, evolve, and strengthen its role on the international stage.
This year’s participation comes at a particularly meaningful moment for Italian cinema, engaged in the run-up to the Oscars with several titles garnering international attention. From the official selection “Familia” to the Oscar-qualified short films “Playing God,” “Majonezë,” and “Below the Clouds,” Italy arrives in Hollywood with stories, talent, and creative visions capable of resonating with global audiences — a further sign of a sector that continues to grow, connect, and assert its place on the world stage.
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At the American Film Market in Los Angeles, the Focus on Italy panel was held, organized by the Italian Trade Agency Los Angeles Office, in coordination with the Consulate General of Italy in Los Angeles and in close collaboration with the Ministry of Culture – Directorate General for Cinema and Audiovisual, the Association of Executive Producers (APE), Cinecittà, and the Italian Film Commissions. The session was moderated by Roberto Stabile, Head of the International Department, Cinecittà/DGCA, who guided a wide-ranging conversation on Italy’s growing role as a strategic partner for international productions.
Italy’s participation at AFM25, coordinated by the Italian Trade Agency, brought to California a delegation of producers, distributors, sales agents, and production service companies — a diverse group that reflects the depth and strength of Italy’s audiovisual ecosystem, in a year when the sector reached a record value of €16.3 billion.
During the panel Focus on Italy: A Strategic Hub for International Productions, Riccardo Neri — producer and spokesperson for APE — outlined the association’s central role in supporting foreign producers who choose to shoot in Italy. APE member companies provide comprehensive operational assistance: visa support, logistics, location scouting, crew recruitment, management of tax credit procedures, and guidance through regional funding opportunities. These services, Neri noted, ensure transparency, efficiency, and a level of responsiveness aligned with the standards of major international productions.
Francesca Rotondo of Cinecittà presented the latest developments at the Rome studios, which are currently undergoing a significant phase of infrastructural and technological expansion. From new soundstages to virtual production solutions, from strengthened set construction departments to advanced post-production services, Cinecittà confirms its role as an integrated industrial hub capable of supporting complex projects and collaborating with productions of all scales.
In his remarks, Jacopo Chessa, President of the Italian Film Commissions, emphasized the crucial role regional commissions play in attracting international productions. With free location scouting, institutional assistance, referrals to qualified local crews, and access to regional funding — totaling more than €80 million annually — Italy offers a competitive system that combines national incentives with territorial resources.
During the event, the Consul General of Italy in Los Angeles, Raffaella Valentini, highlighted the global reputation of Italian technicians and creatives for their skill, style, and versatility. Giosafat Riganò, Director of ITA Los Angeles, underscored the sector’s growing international openness and the strategic value of collaborations between Italy and the United States.
The panel concluded by underscoring a shared vision: through the coordinated efforts of institutions, companies, and industry organizations, Italy is solidifying its position as one of the most reliable and attractive partners for the global audiovisual industry. It is an ecosystem that continues to grow, evolve, and strengthen its role on the international stage.
This year’s participation comes at a particularly meaningful moment for Italian cinema, engaged in the run-up to the Oscars with several titles garnering international attention. From the official selection “Familia” to the Oscar-qualified short films “Playing God,” “Majonezë,” and “Below the Clouds,” Italy arrives in Hollywood with stories, talent, and creative visions capable of resonating with global audiences — a further sign of a sector that continues to grow, connect, and assert its place on the world stage.
Share:
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