UK and Italy Film Commissions sign production agreement in Cannes 2022

The British Film Commission (BFC) and the Italian Film Commissions (IFC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen ties between the UK and Italian screen industries, and facilitate film and high-end TV production between the two countries.

Both the UK and Italy are booming with productions thanks to reliable tax incentives, world-class crew and infrastructure and an array of unique locations.

Recent big projects to shoot across both territories include Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning – Part One (Paramount Pictures/Skydance Productions/Bad Robot), Indiana Jones 5 (Lucasfilm/Amblin/Paramount Pictures),  The Little Mermaid (Walt Disney Pictures), filmed in the UK and Sardinia, and No Time To Die.

The MoU means the two film commissions encourage greater creative, commercial and cultural exchange between the UK and Italy whilst working together to establish opportunities in support of inward investment for film and high-end TV production in both territories.

The agreement will also fortify the relationship between the network of regional organisations and partners in both UK and Italy. Additionally, it highlights the film commissions’ commitment to delivering a film-friendly service which supports productions working across both territories.

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, added: “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 are set to meet in Cannes at the UK Pavilion for Nowhere Special: Collaboration and Co-Production Cross-Border Featuring Pasolini, Italy and the UK, for a discussion about filming in Northern Ireland for recent production Nowhere Special.

Both film commissions will also discuss 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.