17/11/2013 - One of the most successful editions of the industry section of the Rome Film Festival, has come to an end today. If there is something that professionals like about the event is its casual environment

One of the most successful editions so far of The Business Street, the industry section of the Rome International Film Festival, has come to an end today. Sunday is normally a slow day, since most of the professionals have already left Rome after a few days of busy schedules and meetings. A few people chat on the Bernini Terrace, main venue of the section, but it's easy to find a place to sit, just a dream from Wednesday to Saturday.

However, if there's something that professionals like about The Business Street is its casual, easy environment. “Being a smaller event, it's easier to meet people in a relaxed environment. They are more available to talk”, stresses Cosimo Santoro (Open Reel). “It's an easy environment, but very dynamic at the same time”, notes Juan Torres (Latido Films). Nicole Mackey (Fortissimo Films), a veteran of the Roman market, has pointed out the importance of “having everyone is one single place [the Bernini Terrace]”, as opposed to other markets in which people stay and meet far apart from each other. However, “the meeting schedule is very busy. It's comparable in volume to Berlin and Cannes, though it doesn't last eight days”, mentions Xavier Henry-Rashid (Film Republic).

At the end, it all comes to an industry made of people. “New technologies are fantastic, but I believe it is still necessary to look people in the eyes and meet them personally”, says Sesto Cifola (Lion Pictures International). “The Business Street feels like family”, emphasizes Guido Rud (Filmsharks International).

The dates, placed sometimes before, sometimes after the American Film Market, play an important role as well: “The Business Street is a good place to meet European buyers who are not attending the AFM”, explains Ryan Kampe, from the New York-based Visit Films. “Lots of European buyers don't go to the AFM”, agrees Nelleke Driessen (Fortissimo Films). “TBS is interesting because among other things it's the last market of the year”, says Thania Dimitrakopoulou (The Match Factory).

For sellers, the list of buyers attending the event is definitely worth the trip. “The industry office has been really good at identifying the right buyers. It's a really targeted, relevant list”, concludes Henry-Rashid.