Focus on Italy: A Strategic Hub for International Productions
The panel will showcase the tools and opportunities that make Italy a highly competitive destination for international productions. The discussion will address:
- Opportunities for co-productions and for foreign films shot in Italy.
- Support schemes for the distribution of Italian films abroad.
- The role of Film Commissions, including on-location services and regional funds.
- The infrastructures and services offered by Cinecittà Studios.
Moderator:
Roberto Stabile, Head of the International Department, Cinecittà/DGCA
Panelists:
Jacopo Chessa, President, Italian Film Commissions and Director, Veneto Film Commission
Gary Lucchesi, Producer, Revelations Entertainment and former President of the Producers Guild of America
Francesca Rotondo, Sales and Business Development Manager, Cinecitta’ Studios
Riccardo Neri – Producer and Head of Communications of APE (Association of Italian Production Service companies)
Presented by Italian Trade Agency
Speakers
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Roberto StabileHead of the International Department, Cinecittà/DGCARoberto Stabile is the Head of the International Department, Cinecittà/Directorate General for Cinema and Audiovisual of the Ministry of Culture (DGCA-MiC)
After graduating in Political Science and International Affairs he has dedicated the past 30 years to developing and strengthening relationships with international cinema and tv institutions.
From 1996 to 2005 he was General Secretary of the National Union of Film Producers in ANICA (Italian Film Audiovisual and Digital Industries Association) and from 2005 to 2023 he headed the International Department in ANICA.
For the Italian Trade Agency, he has set up a network of information desks on the Italian film industry funding and location services in the major World Markets.
He also developed the ITALIAN SCREENS project, an initiative supported by the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, which highlights a wide variety of genres and emerging talents—including those films featured at major international film festivals. Additionally, the project promotes Italy’s tax incentives, funding programs, and co-production opportunities for filmmakers looking to shoot in the country.
From March 2022, he has become Head of the International Department at Cinecittà on behalf of the Directorate Cinema in order to enhance international cooperation, activities and further develop relationships and business among Italian and foreign film professionals. -
Francesca RotondoSales and Business Development Manager, Cinecittà StudiosFrancesca Rotondo is a professional with over 20 years of experience at Cinecittà Studios. As Senior International Sales Development Manager, she manages the rental of Cinecittà’s sound stages, backlot locations, and all related services, striving to meet the needs of production from prep to wrap. A trained architect, Francesca has been working at Cinecittà since 2001 in various roles, ranging from VFX post-production to sales management. Her experience and dedication have significantly contributed to the success and growth of the studios. She believes what makes Cinecittà stand out is the time and effort the Sales Department dedicates to understanding their clients’ needs and their proven ability to work professionally and efficiently exceeding expectations without exceeding budgets.
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Jacopo ChessaPresident, Italian Film CommissionsJacopo Chessa (Turin, 1973) majored in film history and worked largely on the 1950s and 1960s in French cinema. He has published two books and several articles, and collaborated with the National Film Archive of the Resistance, the University of Turin, and Paris III – Sorbonne Nouvelle University. Since early 2014, he has been the director of Aiace Nazionale, the first Italian association of art-house cinemas, and the Italian Short Film Center. In 2016, he founded the Torino Short Film Market, which he directed until 2020. He worked as contract professor at Université Sorbonne Nouvelle, Paris 3 from 2017 to 2019. Since 2020, he has been the director of the Veneto Film Commission, and since late 2024, he has served as president of Italian Film Commissions.
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Gary LucchesiProducer, Revelations EntertainmentGary Lucchesi is Producer and Executive Producer in the Film and Scripted Television. Gary has produced over 65 feature films, beginning with Academy Award nominated Primal Fear, followed by notable hits including Runaway Bride, Arlington Road, and The Mothman Prophecies. In 2004 he produced the Academy Award winner for Best Picture, Million Dollar Baby. In subsequent years he produced numerous hits including The Ugly Truth, Lincoln Lawyer, The Exorcism of Emily Rose, and the Underworld franchise with Kate Beckinsale, of which he made four sequels. Other film credits include, The Gift starring Cate Blanchette, and adaptations of three Philip Roth novels – The Human Stain, Elegy, and 2016’s American Pastoral.
Gary also produced two Emmy Award-winning movies for television Gotti for HBO and Wild Iris for Showtime, as well the series Heathers for Paramount Television.
At age 34, Gary became the President of Production at Paramount Pictures, where he oversaw such films as Ghost, Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade, Fatal Attraction, The Hunt For Red October, Coming To America, The Naked Gun, The Godfather: Part III, Star Trek, and The Untouchables. He also worked at TriStar Pictures for four years as both Vice President and Senior Vice President of Production. He began his career in Los Angeles as an agent for the William Morris Agency representing such notable actors as Kevin Costner, Michelle Pfeiffer, Susan Sarandon and John Malkovich. He is a former President and President Emeritus of the Producer’s Guild of America and currently is head of the International Committee of the PGA. Gary has been an active member of the Motion Picture Academy since 1988.
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Riccardo NeriProducer and Head of Communications of APE (Association of Italian Production Service companies)Riccardo Neri started his film carrier in 1989 and since then he covered all the positions in the production departments becoming over the years line producer, executive producer and producer.
In 1996 he worked on his first international feature film “Portrait of a Lady” directed by Jane Campion. He continued his career in Italian and international productions working with directors like M. Scorsese, G. Tornatore, C. Verdone, F. Ozpetek, A. Ferrara, P. Greengrass, P. Haggis, T. Gilliam, A. Arau, S. Costanzo, P. Sorrentino, L. Guadagnino, and many others.
His filmography as UPM/Line Producer, includes: Kundun, The Legend of the Pianist on the Ocean, Harem Soiree, Under the Tuscan Sun, Gangs of New York, The Bourne Supremacy.
As Executive Producer: Mary Magdalene, Third Person, Hungry Hearts, Europe Raiders, The New Pope, We Are Who We Are, The Hand of God.
In 2004 Riccardo founded the independent production company Lupin Film which over the years, produced feature films and awarded documentaries.
Lupin Film operates also as production service company and its filmography includes: “Memories of my Father” directed by Fernando Trueba, “Home Sweet Rome” tv series directed by Stefan Scaini for HBOMax, “Cabrini” directed by Alejandro Monteverde, “Immaculate” directed by Michael Mohan for Black Bear Pictures, “Pajaros” directed by Pau Durà, “My Spy II” directed by Pete Segal for Amazon Studios, “Those About to Die” directed by Roland Emmerich for AGC TV and Peacock, “The Saints S2” for Lionsgate produced by Martin Scorsese and along with other APE companies is currently working on “The Resurrection of the Christ” to be directed by Mel Gibson.