11/11/2003

"From next year we’ll be having the Italian Film Commissions as guests. We aim to support the meeting between producers and distributors attending MIFED with the research of services and future locations, provided by these structures operating in the field". This was the announcement made by Carlo Bassi, the director of the Milanese market, during a meeting with the under secretary of production activity, Giuseppe Galati.

In the meantime, Galati has announced that approval is underway for a change to the law supporting new enterprises with “contributions of lost funding”, which will widen the range of eligible businesses to include the audiovisual sector. "The Ministry – said Galati – is taking in consideration the positive effects film and drama productions have on other industries. An investment in the audiovisual sector produces a co-efficient of 2.3%, which basically means that for €1 million spent on film production, there’s a knock on effect of €2.3 million spent on advertising, catering, hotels, services etc as well as the attraction for tourists. This is why there is such fierce competition. Countries like Croatia, Turkey and Austria attract sets by keeping down costs. We can concentrate on the quality of our professionalism and the beauty of our countryside and our artistic heritage".

(The article continues below - Commercial information)

The experience of the Film Commissions is crucial in recognising the strategic value of the audiovisual sector and they are being asked to take part in a technical review being undertaken by the ministry and to look at involvement by private organisations. “The technical discussions will look at the type of initiatives to support, from promotion aboard thanks to ICE, to staff training centres, to tax incentives, but it will also look at ways to remove obstacles blocking development".