BFC and Italian Film Commission sign ‘Memorandum of Understanding’

The British Film Commission (BFC) and the Italian Film Commissions (IFC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance collaboration between the UK and Italian screen industries, as well as to facilitate film and high-end television production between the two countries.

The UK and Italy are both recognised as leading global production centres for film and high-end TV production, and as the screen industries continue to boom globally, both countries continue to attract major productions through reliable tax incentives, world-class crew and infrastructure and a diverse range of unique locations.

Some of the world’s biggest film and high-end TV titles have been shot across both jurisdictions, with recent examples including Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning – Part One (Paramount Pictures/Skydance Productions/Bad Robot), filmed across the UK, Italy as well as Norway, Indiana Jones 5 (Lucasfilm/Amblin/Paramount Pictures), which was filmed throughout the UK’s nations and regions and in Southern Italy, The Little Mermaid (Walt Disney Pictures), filmed in the UK and Sardinia, No Time To Die (Universal Pictures), Pinocchio (Disney+), The Beautiful Game (Netflix/Blueprint), Around the World in 80 Days (PBS/Federation Entertainment/Slim Film + Television) and more.

The MoU will see the two film commissions encourage greater creative, commercial and cultural exchange between the UK and Italy whilst working together to actively foster opportunities to support inward investment for film and high-end television production in both territories. The MoU will not only strengthen the existing collaboration between the two commissions, but also the relationship between the network of regional organisations and partners in both territories, with which both commissions work so closely. This agreement further highlights the film commissions’ commitment to delivering a frictionless and film-friendly service which supports productions working across both territories.

The agreement was signed today (20 May 2022) at The Italian Pavilion, Le Majestic Hotel 10, Cannes.

Adrian Wootton OBE, chief executive of the British Film Commission, said: “We are thrilled to build upon our excellent relationship with the Italian Film Commissions through this friendship agreement. Globally, we’ve seen a huge increase in the amount of film and high-end TV production commissioned in recent years. It’s genuinely an extremely exciting time for the screen industries with opportunities for all growing. Strong collaborative European relationships such as the one between the UK and Italy are key to our shared success. There are already some brilliant examples of collaboration with high-profile productions being filmed between Italy and the UK, including Paramount Picture’s Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning – Part One, Disney+’s Pinocchio and Universal’s No Time To Die. We look forward to working with our friends in Italy to foster even stronger ties between our two countries, exploring new ways of working together, creatively and commercially, in the future.”

Cristina Priarone, president of IFC Italian Film Commissions, said: “In this moment of high vitality worldwide in production, our IFC Association is keen in promoting partnerships to foster international linking. Building bridges with the UK is a key point on this issue, and the wise work of British Film Commission in the MoU framework paves the way for Italian producers and professionals to strengthen their relationships with the British AV industry, with the aim to open up new chances and exchanges.”

The BFC and IFC will come together in Cannes at the UK Pavilion for Nowhere Special: Collaboration and Co-Production Cross-Border Featuring Pasolini, Italy and the UK, for a fireside chat discussing filming in Northern Ireland for recent production Nowhere Special, and the benefits of cross-border co-production, as well as collaboration between international film commissions, for local industries, talent and tourism. The panel takes place on Tuesday 24 May at 11am.