A renewed reality for a stronger, more efficient and international industry
Rome and Lazio are once again shining in the international spotlight thanks to a real revolution at the heart of the Italian film-audiovisual industry: the new Fondazione Roma Lazio Film Commission, a turning point for the sector and a new institutional home for producers, workers, artists and screen professionals, has been officially inaugurated. A project born from a profound process of structural and managerial reform, with the ambition to transform itself into a national and international reference pole for the entire film and audiovisual industry.
The inaugural evening, hosted in an emblematic location for the seventh art, was attended by personalities from the world of cinema, culture, institutions and entertainment. It was here that the new Board of Directors, appointed jointly by the Lazio Region and Roma Capitale, was officially presented: leading the relaunch of the Foundation will be Maria Giuseppina Troccoli, an expert in the sector and the new president, flanked by Christian Uva as vice president and Lorenza Lei in the role of CEO. “Our goal is to build a cohesive system capable of supporting professional growth, attracting investment and enhancing the excellence of the territory,” said President Troccoli, stressing the importance of an inclusive and contemporary vision.
A new model: efficiency, inclusion, internationalization
The Foundation moves on several strategic axes: industry, training, territory, internationalization. On the production front, territorial desks will be activated in Lazio to accompany productions in logistics and in the search for “film friendly” locations. A new production guide, simplified and digital, will accompany companies in the production process, also supported by regional and EU funds (over 9 million euros allocated for 2025 alone, of which 3 million directly to the Foundation).
Another key piece is training: the Gian Maria Volonté School of Cinematic Art, a free excellence financed by the European Social Fund, officially joins the Foundation, together with thePier Paolo Pasolini Arts Workshop, to guarantee accessible, highly professionalizing paths linked to the real needs of the market.
Lazio capital of audiovisual
It is no coincidence that Rome and Lazio lead the national ranking in terms of the number of audiovisual sector companies (2,400) and employees (13,000). The region is first in Italy for active companies in the sector and second in Europe for investments in cinema and audiovisuals. The Lazio Cinema International program, co-financed with ERDF funds, has already supported 215 works since 2016 to date – including films, series, documentaries and animations – attracting 261 foreign production companies from 38 countries and garnering more than 350 awards and 470 nominations at major festivals around the world.
Cinetourism, a treasure to be enhanced
Rome and Lazio are not only centers of production, but true open-air museums of cinema. From Cinecittà to the streets of the capital, from Civita di Bagnoregio to the Castelli Romani, from Fellini sets to the Tuscia western, every corner has been immortalized by generations of Italian and international filmmakers. Cinnetourism-that is, travel motivated by films and series-is now a strategic lever for both cultural promotion and the local economy. “Our goal is to make Lazio an all-round film-friendly region. A land that welcomes and accompanies productions and, at the same time, tells its story through them,” explained Lorenza Lei. The region’s film identity is an economic, cultural and tourism value to be protected and relaunched. In fact, the Foundation’s new policies also aim to support cine-tourism projects, collaborations with DMOs, thematic tours related to the sets and enhancement of the historical audiovisual heritage.
Toward the future, with the entire supply chain
Agents, casting directors, location managers, technicians and workers: the Foundation will not only be a showcase, but an operational place of inclusion and comparison. With targeted training, promotion and networking actions, it aims to give voice to all souls of the industry, building a united, efficient and competitive film community, ready to face the challenges of the global market. “The Foundation will be a shared laboratory, not an ivory tower. A place where all players in the sector will be able to propose, participate and build new development trajectories together,” stressed Christian Uva.
A film that starts now
That of the Fondazione Roma Lazio Film Commission is a real script in progress, written by many hands to bring Rome and Lazio back to the center of the world silver screen. With adequate infrastructure, targeted strategies and a governance capable of listening and vision, a new season for Italian cinema will open. Because here, more than elsewhere, reality is often more fascinating than fiction.
