14/11/2013 - With a budget of 180,000 euros, the first edition of the fund aims to promote the distribution of Italian films in Latin America, South Korea, Japan and Taiwan

ANICA, the main association for the film and audiovisual industry in Italy, has chosen The Business Street to launch its brand new Film Distribution Fund, whose aim is to encourage the theatrical release of Italian films in a series of territories: Latin America, South Korea, Japan and Taiwan. The first edition of the fund, which will run for one year until October 2014, will have a budget of 180,000 euros.

The fund has been presented to the attending professionals from these territories by the newly appointed ANICA secretary-general Silvio Maselli (photo). “We are used to thinking about the film and audiovisual industry in terms of the three-tier system production-distribution-theatrical release, but we won’t survive if we aren’t open to new ways of spreading a passion for Italian films and audiovisual works, even testing out innovative commercial practices. This is why this project to support the international distribution of our most appealing works has been launched. ANICA’s chief function is to strengthen its own members and, thanks to the work they do, strengthen Italy as well,” said Maselli.

The fund works as a non-repayable cash contribution devoted to co-finance the P&A budget previously spent and invested by the foreign local distributors to release Italian films in cinemas in their specific territories. In order to be eligible for this scheme, films should be a recent (censorship licence issued within 2 years), Italian (or a majority coproduction) feature film (over 60 minutes).

Therefore, this fund is addressed to distribution companies from the above mentioned territories, which can get back a part of their investment in P&A, including posters, trailers, paid advertising, online marketing, DCP production and subtitles, among others.

The amount that a distributor can apply for depends on his country of origin, but it's an average of 20%, for a maximum of 7,000$. However, the selection committee, made up of representatives from ANICA, UNEFA and Istituto Cinecittà-Luca, may decide to allocate more funds if necessary, according to the distribution plan submitted.

ITALIA. Film Distribution Fund is part of the special ‘Made in Italy’ promotional tool funded by the Ministry of Economic Development (Office of Internationalisation and Trade Promotion).