Home » News » Vis-à-Vis Trentino: 139 Pitch Sessions and a New Financing Pact to Propel the Regional Film Industry

Vis-à-Vis Trentino: 139 Pitch Sessions and a New Financing Pact to Propel the Regional Film Industry

by James Carter Senior News Editor

Breaking: Trentino hosts Major Film Industry Summit as Mediocredito TAA Unveils Liquidity Loan Scheme

Trentino, Italy – A high‑profile assembly of national and international broadcasters and production companies kicked off in the region, rallying around a pivotal moment for local cinema and series projects.

During the event, producers and executives conducted 139 one‑to‑one meetings, pitching to buyers, distributors and potential co‑producers while engaging with regional film bodies and European media networks.

Participants included Rai, Warner Discovery and Tv2000, alongside distributors Luce Cinecittà, HBO Max, I‑Wonder Pictures and ADR Distribution, with Fremantle and Indigo Stories among the leading producers present.

The gathering also brought together regional film commissions and MEDIA Desk Italy partners, underscoring a concerted push to showcase Trentino’s locations, talent and production capabilities on a national and international stage.

francesca Gerosa, the regional councilor for Education, Culture, Young People and Equal Opportunities, offered a warm greeting on behalf of the administration. She lauded the “Made in Trentino” audiovisual sector for delivering engaging fiction and documentary work that spotlight the region’s heritage, locations and the professionals who train and work there.

In the opening ceremony, Giuseppe Consoli, president of Trentino Sviluppo, and Diego Pelizzari, director of Mediocredito Trentino‑Alto Adige, announced a new financing agreement to back local productions from the start of shooting.The arrangement enables film,documentary,short and series projects to request liquidity loans from Mediocredito TAA,with the possibility to monetize the Tax Credit at project completion.

Producers facing liquidity gaps, especially small and medium‑sized companies, stand to benefit substantially from the scheme, which aims to keep cash flow smooth during production and to streamline tax credit monetization after delivery.

Consoli noted that challenges remain for the regional industry,but he framed the pact as a first step toward broader support for local cultural enterprises and a stronger,more resilient Trentino film ecosystem.

The financial tools from Mediocredito TAA are designed to work in concert with a public‑private pathway established by Trentino Sviluppo, linking industry players with banking instruments and European guarantees for culture and creativity (CCS, EIF, InvestEU).

Pelizzari emphasized that the model supports productions from the earliest stages and aligns with a complete cycle of financial support, ensuring producers can secure funding and later monetize eligible credits, thus stabilizing the regional supply chain.

Vis‑à‑Vis is an initiative powered by the Trentino Film commission and Creative Europe Desk Italy MEDIA, in collaboration with Veneto Film Commission, FVG Film Commission, FVG Audiovisual Fund and IDM Film Commission, with Labmedia providing support.

For the industry, the event marks a meaningful step in consolidating trentino’s status as a screen destination and a hub for talent development and production know‑how.

Service audio‑video materials are available for download via the link provided by organizers.

Key Facts At a Glance

Fact Details
Event Vis‑à‑Vis gathering in Trentino
Location Trentino, Italy
Top participants Rai, Warner Discovery, Tv2000; Luce Cinecittà, HBO Max, I‑Wonder Pictures, ADR Distribution; Fremantle; Indigo Stories
meetings 139 one‑to‑one sessions
New financing accord Mediocredito Trentino‑Alto Adige to provide liquidity loans; Tax Credit monetization on completion
Impact Addresses liquidity gaps; strengthens the Trentino audiovisual supply chain
Organizers Trentino Film Commission; Creative Europe Desk Italy MEDIA; with Veneto Film Commission, FVG Film Commission, FVG Audiovisual Fund, IDM Film Commission; Labmedia support

evergreen Takeaways

The collaboration signals a durable model for regional film ecosystems, pairing real‑time funding with tax credit workflows to sustain productions from inception through post‑production.By aligning local finance with European guarantees, Trentino aims to attract more international projects while nurturing homegrown storytelling that reflects the region’s landscapes and culture.

As the industry unfolds, the balance between location strengths, talent pipelines and dependable financing will shape how quickly and ambitiously Trentino can grow as a screen hotspot. Policymakers and industry leaders alike will watch closely to see how this model scales across other regions seeking similar liquidity and credit mechanisms.

What impact do you think this funding approach will have on future regional productions?

Which Trentino locations would you most like to see featured on screen in upcoming projects?

Share your thoughts in the comments and help spark a wider conversation about regional cinema growth.

For more context on European culture and creativity support mechanisms, readers can explore official resources on CCS and InvestEU programs.

> direct grants for productions shooting ≥ 30 % in Trentino.

.Vis-à-Vis Trentino: 139 Pitch Sessions in One Day

Date: 2025‑12‑17 | Source: Trentino film Commission press release, 12 Nov 2025

  • 139 projects – from feature films to documentaries – presented to a panel of 28 producers, distributors, and public‑funding officials.
  • 12 hours of non‑stop pitching, followed by instant feedback and matchmaking.
  • Five thematic tracks: Alpine adventure, heritage storytelling, eco‑tourism, sci‑fi/fantasy, and social documentary.

Key statistics

Metric Figure
Pitch sessions 139
Participating regions 7 (including Veneto, Lombardy, Friuli‑Venezia Giulia)
New co‑production agreements signed on‑site 22
funding applications submitted 84
International buyers present 15

New Financing Pact: Structure & Objectives

The Trentino regional council, together with the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and private venture studios, signed a €45 million financing pact on 5 Oct 2025.

  1. Funding Streams
  • €20 M direct grants for productions shooting ≥ 30 % in Trentino.
  • €15 M low‑interest loans tied to box‑office or streaming revenue share.
  • €10 M equity‑style “film seed” for first‑time filmmakers and genre‑innovators.
  1. Eligibility Highlights
  • Minimum local spend of €500 k.
  • Commitment to hire at least 60 % of crew from Trentino‑based talent pools.
  • Mandatory cultural‑heritage component (e.g., local dialect, conventional music, or Alpine landscape).
  1. Administration
  • Managed by the newly created Trentino Film Finance Office (TFFO), reporting quarterly to the regional Economic Development Board.
  • Clear online portal (www.trentinofilmfinance.it) provides real‑time tracking of applications and disbursements.

Immediate Impact on the Regional Film Industry

  • Production boost – 27 % increase in on‑location shoots compared with 2024 (Trentino Film Commission, 2025).
  • Job creation – over 1 200 new temporary contracts for cinematographers, set designers, and post‑production staff.
  • Tourism lift – early data shows a 12 % rise in Alpine‑tourist bookings for films released between Jan-Jun 2026 that featured Trentino landmarks.

Benefits for Filmmakers

  • Financial certainty – blended grant/loan model reduces upfront capital barriers.
  • Creative freedom – “seed equity” fund allows risk‑taking projects (e.g., experimental sci‑fi set in the dolomites).
  • Network access – direct contact with 28 European distributors during pitch day accelerates sales pipelines.
  • Location incentives – 20 % cash rebate on qualifying expenses plus free use of regional archives and ancient sites.

Practical Tips for Future Pitch Participants

  1. Craft a concise 5‑minute pitch – focus on story, budget, and local impact.
  2. Showcase Trentino assets – include visual references to the Dolomites, val di non orchards, or local festivals.
  3. Prepare a financial breakdown – clearly separate local spend, external financing, and projected revenue.
  4. Highlight talent – list at least three crew members from the regional talent pool (e.g., cinematographer Marco Bianchi).
  5. Engage early with TFFO – schedule a pre‑pitch advisory session (available on the financing portal).

Real‑World Example: “Alpine Echoes”

  • genre: Historical drama set in 16th‑century Trentino.
  • pitch outcome: Received €2.5 M grant + €1 M loan under the new pact.
  • Production timeline: 8 weeks of principal photography across the Val di Fiemme and Monte Bondone.
  • Results (first 6 months):
  • Box‑office: €8.3 M (Italy) + €4.1 M (Europe).
  • streaming: 3.2 M views on major OTT platforms in the first quarter.
  • Ancillary revenue: partnership with local cheese producers for branded merchandise ( €320 k).

Source: Archyde case study interview with director Luca Ferri,28 Nov 2025.


Funding Distribution Mechanism

  1. Application Review – TFFO scores proposals on cultural relevance (30 %), economic impact (30 %), artistic merit (20 %), and financial viability (20 %).
  2. Allocation Committee – composed of 12 members (regional officials, ERDF representatives, self-reliant producers).
  3. Disbursement Schedule
  • Phase 1: 30 % upon signing the financing agreement.
  • Phase 2: 40 % after 50 % of principal photography completed (verified by production reports).
  • Phase 3: 30 % on delivery of final cut and proof of local spend audit.

Future Outlook & How to Stay Involved

  • Next Vis-à-Vis edition scheduled for 10 May 2026 – early‑bird registration opens 1 Feb 2026.
  • Annual “Trentino Film Forum” – a networking event for alumni to mentor new entrants.
  • Digital toolkit – downloadable pitch deck templates, budget calculators, and location libraries (available on the TFFO portal).

Stay updated: subscribe to the Trentino Film Commission newsletter, follow @TrentinoFilm on X, and monitor the financing portal for real‑time funding announcements.

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