11/02/2008

An international challenge for cross-platform audiovisual projects; the first ever Italian-Iraqi film co-production - the primary tangible result from Regione Lazio’s participation in the Capital Regions for Cinema network; and three grants to train talented youngsters.

These are the projects promoting the cinematographic sector in Lazio presented today in Berlin by the Regione Lazio, the Roma & Lazio Film Commission - making its international debut – and FILAS, the Lazio financial development body.

The producer Fabrizia Falzetti, from Far Out Film, presented the feature film I Fiori di Kirkuk (Kirkuk’s Flowers), which is a co-production between Italy, France and Iraq. It is the first concrete result to come from the co-production meetings organised by the Regione Lazio within the CRC Capital Regions for Cinema network, uniting the Film Commissions from the four European capital regions of Rome and Lazio, Paris-Ile de France, Comunidad de Madrid and Berlin-Brandenburg. During the 58th Berlinale, the network actually held its 10th CRC Co-production Meetings, which also involved a delegation of American producers for the first time, attending thanks to the collaboration between the CRC and the State of New York Film Commission.

Cristina Priarone, general manager of the Rome & Lazio Film Commission, further announced three grants for students to attend workshops providing training in international co-producing. Rome & Lazio Film Commission is offering these grants to talented youngsters residing in the Lazio Region.

Additionally, the 58th Berlinale saw the Regione Lazio Councillor for Culture, Entertainment and Sport, Giulia Rodano present the ''Million Euro Challenge'' to foreign producers. This international challenge is to stimulate the production of cross-platform audiovisual content and is open to all Italian, European and non-European production companies. It aims to promote Lazio’s centres of excellence in a cultural and tourism vein. The Regione will provide production overall funding to the tune of one million euros, 70% of which will be unsecured funding and the remaining 30% in equity capital. Application forms will soon be made available and entries are divided into five categories: fiction (feature length films or TV), serials, documentaries (feature length or series), docu-drama (feature length) and animation.