08/03/2006

"This was a positive year for Italian films in cinemas, and a bit less for production, at least as far as the figures are concerned", said Paolo Ferrari, president of ANICA (Italian Association of Cinematographic Audiovisual and Multimedia Industries) as he presented the 2005 data on Italian cinema.

According to the annual analysis of the association for Italian film producers and distributors, "the market share of Italian products grew significantly, up to 24.7%, which means that one in four cinemagoers chose to see an Italian film. It is encouraging for domestic films that this took place in a year when the market lost approximately 7%. It was precisely the success of Italian product, which registered an increase of almost 2m admissions, that limited the general drop-off in our country in respect to the other European countries".

At the same time, production decreased, "at least as far as the figures and resources are concerned. 36 fewer Italian films were made in 2005 as compared with 2004, and there are 25% fewer resources than those invested in 2004. Above all, states funds have decreased, having been cut by over €64m, dragging other industry businesses towards a slight decline (-2.43%)".

This data may lead to the conclusion that a quantitative decrease corresponds to a qualitative increase. However, for ANICA, "the positive trend must be consolidated, towards the identification of new sources of capital for domestic films. There can be no appeals with films. This is precisely why it is necessary that such a high and peculiar business risk be compensated by tax and financial relief, as well as by the creation of a new form of financing that can work across all the categories". This year, the association will strive to "give preference to Italian businesses that have demonstrated an encouraging vitality in a difficult period".

(Translated from Italian)