Italy is “Country in Focus” at the 2024 European Film Market (EFM) that opened yesterday, 15 February, and will continue until 21 February, in conjunction with the 74th Berlin International Film Festival. Senator Lucia Borgonzoni, the Undersecretary at the Ministry of Culture who is responsible for cinema and audiovisual, copyright and cultural and creative enterprises, will represent Italy at the event.
To celebrate Italy’s leading role in the 2024 EFM, the façade of the Italian Embassy in Berlin will be illuminated with the colours of the EFM flag and logo for the duration of the event.
Ambassador Armando Varricchio yesterday attended the opening of the Berlinale, in the presence of Germany’s Minister of State for Culture and Media Claudia Roth, with the opening film Small Things Like These by Tim Mielants.
Today, Ambassador Varricchio will also open the presentation of the Italian film system, Film and Audiovisual Funding in Italy, which will be attended by the EFM Director, Dennis Ruh, as well as by Ferdinando Fiore, Director of the ICE Office in Berlin; Nicola Maccanico, Managing Director of Cinecittà; Roberto Stabile, Head of Special Projects, General Directorate for Cinema and Audiovisual of the Ministry of Culture; Rossella Gaudio, analyst of the General Directorate for Cinema, and Carmen Diotiaiuti, Deputy Director of Italy for Movies.
Following this, the Ambassador will visit the Italian Pavilion, the professional area promoted by the Directorate General for Cinema and Audiovisual of the Ministry of Culture and ICE-Agenzia. It is designed, set up and managed by Cinecittà, and brings together 48 exhibitors, including 15 Film Commissions and various representatives from the Ministry of Culture, Cinecittà, ANICA and ICE-Agenzia.
Finally, on Monday 19 February, the Ambassador will attend the event Celebrating Connections, during which Undersecretary Borgonzoni will present Italian cinema through immersive reality. The initiative is aimed at promoting the many Italian talents in the audiovisual sector and creating new contacts between Italian and international producers.
The EFM is one of the world’s leading markets for high-quality audiovisual content, a platform for exchange and a source of inspiration for current trends and innovations. It is also one of the industry’s leading networking platforms and serves as a barometer for the coming film and business year. More than 11,500 participants including exhibitors, rights holders, producers, buyers and investors are expected to come to Berlin for the occasion.
