Highlight
03 Dicembre 2025
Film Commission Torino Piemonte attends the Italian Film Festival in Madrid for the first time. Participation made possible thanks to collaboration with the Italian Cultural Institute in Madrid and support from the Piedmont Region.
On the occasion of the 18th edition of the Italian Film Festival in Madrid (1-7 December) – where Piemonte is participating as a guest region – Film Commission Torino Piemonte has defined a networking plan with the Italian Cultural Institute in Madrid, with the aim of presenting the Piedmontese audiovisual industry to a select group of Spanish producers, identified by the Madrid Film Office.
For a week, Madrid will become the stage for a cultural bridge between Italy and Spain, with a rich programme of Italian films and targeted promotion and networking activities that will allow the Piedmont Region and local institutions to showcase their excellence.
A delegation of Piedmontese producers, together with the Director of Film Commission Torino Piemonte, Paolo Manera, took part in the opening of the Festival on 1 December. On 2 December, a series of industry and business activities took place in the historic building overlooking Plaza Mayor, “Casa de la Panadería”, in the majestic Sala delle Colonne (home to Madrid's Central Tourist Office).
The proceedings were opened by Elena Fontanella, Director of the Italian Cultural Institute in Madrid, and Maria La Rocca, Commercial Attaché at the Italian Embassy in Madrid, who were joined by a video message from Roberto Stabile, head of the Italian Screens project.
During the morning, Manera presented the funds and services of the Film Commission Torino Piemonte, followed by a showcase of four Piedmontese producers - Adriano Bassi for Lume, Alessandro Carroli for EIE Film, Simone Catania for Indyca, and Enrico De Lotto for Making Movies - who also highlighted the international co-production strategies already underway and those ready to be activated. Lara Costa Calzado of Kino Produzioni and Carlo d'Ursi of Potenza Producciones then presented some case studies on Italian-Spanish co-productions.
Networking activities continued in the afternoon with one-to-one meetings between Piedmontese and Madrid-based producers.
“Piemonte's presence at the Italian Film Festival in Madrid represents a significant step in our strategy to promote our cultural, creative and productive identity abroad,” said Regione Piemonte President Alberto Cirio, Culture Councillor Marina Chiarelli and Tourism and Sport Councillor Paolo Bongioanni, with Undersecretary Claudia Porchietto speaking in Madrid. "Thanks to the collaboration between the Piedmont Region, Film Commission Torino Piemonte and the Italian Cultural Institute in Madrid, the Festival becomes an international stage to showcase the excellence of our audiovisual industry and consolidate relations with the world of Spanish production. This is an opportunity that strengthens the role of the Film Commission and promotes Piedmont as a dynamic, creative and increasingly recognised region on the international film scene. Our region has already entered the homes of the Spanish public thanks to live coverage of the Vuelta and, more recently, through the achievements of Carlos Alcaraz at the Nitto ATP Finals, an opportunity to discover and showcase the quality of our cuisine and Piedmontese hospitality. The Film Festival consolidates this action, offering a prestigious showcase for our landscapes, food and wine excellence and cultural heritage, but also for Piedmont's ability to present itself as a creative laboratory, audiovisual production centre and first-class tourist destination.”
“Opportunities for international exchange have always been a strategic asset for Film Commission Torino Piemonte. For this reason, we were delighted to have the opportunity to be present in Madrid for the 18th edition of the Italian Film Festival, with a series of industry activities,” commented Beatrice Borgia and Paolo Manera, President and Director of Film Commission Torino Piemonte. “Spain is increasingly emerging as a leading player in the global audiovisual industry, and we are confident that this mission of meetings and networking between Piedmontese and Madrid-based producers - coordinated with Regione Piemonte and the Italian Cultural Institute in Madrid - will greatly intensify synergies for the near future.”
