15/06/2009

The first true economic analysis of the Italian film market, Rapporto 2008. Il Mercato e l’Industria del Cinema in Italia (“2008 Report: The Film Market and Industry in Italy”, published by the Fondazione Ente dello Spettacolo, was presented yesterday at Luiss University in Rome.

It outlines a "pulverised" market the overall vision of which is difficult to identify, with the same holding true for admissions, box office and film company rights. It moreover depicts a market that conforms to the strategies of a few companies concentrated on production, distribution and exhibition.

The report strives to shed light on a market in which there are 9,071 companies operating (their numbers jumped 85.5% from 2001-07), 4,400 of which, however, have turnovers of under €1m. It writes that in 2008, €4bn was earned by limited liability companies; there are 76,442 professionals employed in the industry; and companies average a staff of 22 people.

It further mentions that in Italy in 2008 154 films were produced, 33 over 2007, and €36m was raised from product placement, which covers an average 8-10% of budget costs. In 2007, €437m was allocated in funding by the state audiovisual fund.

Read the Report