17/10/2022 - The market has strengthened its role within the global audiovisual industry and saw a 20% increase in participants on 2021 figures, with over 2,400 international delegates in attendance

It’s a wrap for Rome’s MIA, which unspooled this year at the Palazzo Barberini and the Cinema Barberini from 11-15 October. The 2022 edition of the prestigious industry gathering saw the participation of over 2,400 delegates from 60 countries, marking a 20% increase on 2021 figures. MIA hosted over 70 different panels and events, with increased social-media presence and coverage by the Italian and international press. Over 600 articles were published, penned by some 160 journalists attending the market in person and virtually.

“This represents a breakthrough edition, with truly significant international participation, and over these five days, Rome has been transformed into a hotbed of debate and discussion among the most important international executives from Europe, North America, the Middle East, Africa, South America and Asia. We built a strong editorial programme to represent the entire ecosystem and its paradigms. MIA is the destination for the global industry, which is going through a phase of rapid evolution and explosion of new content production,” stated MIA director Gaia Tridente.

“Edition after edition, MIA continues to establish itself as an ambitious and undoubtedly fundamental project because it guarantees global sector operators a showcase full of excellent products for potential major co-productions and important business agreements. The objective is still to turn the spotlight on the audiovisual supply chain, which in Italy is worth about €1.5 billion and involves more than 7,000 companies and about 200,000 direct and indirect employees. Our industry is becoming more and more competitive on the international scene, and continues to grow and evolve, as is also shown by the data that emerged in the 4th APA report on national audiovisual production,” added Giancarlo Leone, APA’s president.

On the final day, this year’s award winners were announced. In the Drama Pitching Forum, the Paramount+ Award, offered by ViacomCBS International Studios, was given to the British 6x45-minute “murder-mystery” series The Abbess, produced by Peter Carlton, of Warp Films, and revolving around the ruthless power struggle in a closed order of nuns. The two ILBE Awards, aimed at supporting the development of projects presented in the Co-production Market and Pitching Forum and in the Wanna Taste IT? section, were bestowed upon Anita Rivaroli’s “survival, coming-of-age, early 1800s-set” Through the Winter (Italy) and Simone Catania’s black comedy and “bourgeois story” Brianza (Italy/Switzerland). Among the other victors was Lucía Aleñar Iglesias’ drama Forastera (Spain), in receipt of the ARTEKINO International Award, which is intended to support emerging directors and producers from around the world.

Here is the full list of this year’s award winners:

Co-production and Pitching Forum

ARTEKINO International Award
Forastera – Lucía Aleñar Iglesias (Spain)
Producer: Lastor Media

ILBE Awards

MIA Film Co-production Market & Pitching Forum
Through the Winter – Anita Rivaroli (Italy)
Producer: Indiana Production

Wanna Taste IT?
Brianza – Simone Catania (Italy/Switzerland)
Producers: Indyca, Rough Cat

Paramount+ Award - Best project presented in the MIA Drama Pitching Forum
The Abbess (UK)
Producer: Peter Carlton/Warp Films

WIFTMI Prize
Cosplay Girl – Massimo Bacchini, Eleonora Cimpanelli and Giulio Rizzo (Italy)
Producer: Rodeo Drive

Content Showcase

Lazio Frames Award
The Breath of the Mountain – Lorenzo Latrofa (Italy)
Producer: La Sarraz Pictures

Screen International Buyers’ Choice Award
Matria [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Álvaro Gago
film profile] – Álvaro Gago (Spain)
Producer: Matriuska Producciones, Elastica Films, Avalon PC, Ringo Media

La Bottega della Sceneggiatura Awards

1^st Prize
Il peso del mondo – Jacopo Cazzaniga (Italy)

2^nd Prize
Le figlie di Roma – Federica Baggio and Anna Francesca Leccia (Italy)

Special Mention
Galena – Marco Panichella (Italy)