The Rome MIA market – dedicated to international television series, animation, feature films and documentaries – launched its 11th edition on Monday. Lucia Borgonzoni, secretary of Italian culture, has blown up Donald Trump’s threat of imposing tariffs on films made outside the United States.
“We hear about this tariff frequently, which will hurt the Americans themselves if Americans impose them,” Borgonzoni said at the opening press conference at the Mipcom boutique event before more than 60 selected projects from Europe were announced to potential partners along with a rich roster of panels and keynote speakers.
Borgonzoni, a member of Italy’s right-wing government and oversees the country’s film division, is a local industry advocate. She praised MIA as Italian industry driver in the global market.
Alessandro Usai, chairman of Italian film association Anika, emphasized the “ability to innovate and predict market change” of the MIA market, as well as “strengthen Italy’s global role as a creative and production hub.”
Chiara Sbarigia, chairman of the Italian Television Producers Association APA, who was committed to launching the MIA more than a decade ago, noted that the Roman market “is aimed to connect Italian industry with the international market” as it “always puts producers at the heart of events.”
As previously announced, this year’s market has added a new vertical AI section, a new vertical AI section and a book focused on animation, a session with UTA partner Hollywood agent Charles Ferraro.
Sony Pictures TV president Katherine Pope is on hand to introduce her new drama awards. The trekking is also made up by Fox Entertainment Studios’ SVP of Creative Affairs and original films, and Claire O’Brien, director of development for the Universal International Studios’ Global Scripts series, other US studio executives.
Keynote speakers include longtime Bruce Springsteen collaborator Emmy, known for his documentaries on Springsteen, Willie Nelson and Sylvester Stallone, and Grammy Awards director Tom Jimney. Another keynote will be delivered by Anna Taganov, the BBC’s Head of Children’s Content and Programming Strategy.
As customarily, the sales company will set up a booth at Palazzo Barberini in Rome, in addition to being a national ancient art gallery in Italy.
It is located in Mia (the acronym short for Mercato Internazionale Audiovisivo or International Audiovisual Market). Leading by GaiaTridente. In an interview with Variety, GaiaTridente emphasized that it had not competed with Mipcom, which took place in Cannes from October 13-16 and attracted over 10,000 attendees.
“In terms of attendance, we believe the MIA has already reached numbers (2,800 participants from 60 countries in 2024).
“What we do at MIA, scouting and matchmaking, is what distinguishes us from other markets, including MIPCOM. We are working to bring together producers, distributors and content providers and help related projects reach them.”
Above photo, left to right: Chiara Sbarigia, Gaia Tridente, Alessandro Usai
