Today Undersecretary Manlio Di Stefano spoke at the Venice International Film Festival, taking part in the fifth edition of “Focus China” organised by Anica on behalf of MIBACT’s Directorate General for Cinema, in cooperation with Xinhua Net, focusing on possible cooperation between Italy and China, in the presence of Anica’s President, Francesco Rutelli, the Director of Toscana Promozione, Francesco Palumbo, the President of CCTV International CICTV TAN Shiding, Rai Cinema’s CEO, Paolo Del Brocco, and several Italian and Chinese producers.
During his speeches, the Undersecretary recalled how culture and cinema in particular are an extraordinary vehicle for the promotion of the territory and tourism, and that they are intimately linked to the promotion of exports.
“In 2020, among the measures for the recovery of the economy following the pandemic – he said – we allocated more than 1.5 billion euros in favour of companies in the framework of the new pact between the Government and the business world, the Export Pact strongly desired by Minister Di Maio. In this context we have doubled the resources for the extraordinary plan for the integrated promotion of Made in Italy “Vivere ALL’Italiana”, increasing it from 30 to 60 million euros. All these resources are also available to the cultural and film industries, which can play an important role in supporting our exports, albeit indirectly”.
“In a context of increasing polarisation of international relations – Mr Di Stefano continued – culture and cinema are very useful instruments of that cultural diplomacy that promotes a constant dialogue at international level. We must focus on a further development of cultural relations by promoting the exchange of audiovisual productions, encouraging forms of film co-production and favouring the choice of Italy as a location for filming and post-production, making use of all those values, linked to respect for traditions and the role of the family in society, which unite Italy and China”.
During the debate, the Foreign Ministry commitment to support the sector associations in the promotion of new film productions was also stressed. In this regard, mention was made of the support given to ANICA’s China Project, which has led to the creation of numerous initiatives and retrospectives on Italian cinema in China and has given rise to the “Focus on Italy – Focus on China” initiatives at the Venice International Film Festival.
The event also allowed us to recall the fundamental role played by RAI in Italian film production and the importance that regional Film Commissions can play in those forms of ‘integrated’ promotion of the territory, artistic beauty, landscape and food and wine excellence of our country.
