Country Focus: Italy

New fund for project development in Lazio

by  c.d.m.

22/01/2010 - At a recent conference on regional film and audiovisual policy, Lazio Region Councillor for Culture Giulia Rodano announced the institution of a new fund managed by the Roma & Lazio Film Commission, which will offer its services to those choosing to shoot in the region.

Rodano also announced the creation of a €1.3m "experimental grant fund for film project development,” financed by the Region. Moreover, she added, audiovisual companies "will have more opportunities to access credit thanks to the extension of the agreement with Unionfidi", the regional company that loans money to businesses. Rodano lastly outlined the balance of five years of activity: 37 films co-financed, over €7.5m invested. In 2009, €6m were allocated for film production incentives and aid; there were four calls for tenders, for a total of €34m in audiovisual support. The Roma & Lazio Film Commission in two and a half years supported over 300 audiovisual projects and entered into five co-production contracts.