The recent “Italian Screens: New Italian Cinema in Beijing” event at the Italian Institute of Culture, Embassy of Italy in Beijing, marked a significant chapter in the collaboration between Italy and China’s film industries. Organized by Cinecittà for the Directorate General for Cinema and Audiovisual of the Italian Ministry of Culture, in collaboration with the Italian Embassy in China and the Beijing Italian Institute of Culture, the event aimed to promote the best of Italian contemporary cinema, encourage film distribution, and foster cultural exchanges between the two countries.
Italian Ambassador to China Massimo Ambrosetti expressed hope at the press conference that this event would enhance existing film collaborations between Italy and China, opening doors to innovative ideas and opportunities for shared development in the future. Roberto Stabile, Head of Special Projects at the Directorate General for Cinema and Audiovisual of the Italian Ministry of Culture (DGCA-MiC) at Cinecittà, shared the mission of “Italian Screens”: to globally promote Italian films through cultural and industrial avenues, thus facilitating local distribution and visibility.
Roberto noted the growing popularity of Italian films among Chinese audiences, both in theaters and on streaming platforms. He cited the collaboration history between China and Italy, referencing the acclaimed 1987 movie “The Last Emperor,” produced jointly by China, Italy, and the UK, as an example of the potential in film collaboration.
The goal, as Roberto outlined, is to expand the presence of Italian cinema throughout China, including participation in major film festivals in cities like Beijing and Shanghai. He highlighted a dedicated segment at the upcoming 5th Hainan Island International Film Festival in December, where six recent Italian masterpieces will be showcased to Chinese audiences.
Additionally, Italy has been actively showcasing Chinese cinema, with initiatives like the “Focus on China” at the Venice Film Festival since 2016, providing a platform for Chinese filmmakers to engage with the Italian film industry and audiences. For example, the recent Venice Film Festival Market featured the Chinese film “Creation of the GodsⅠ: Kingdom of Storms.”
During the “Italian Screens” event in Beijing, a showreel of Italian cinema was screened, highlighting iconic Hollywood movies shot in Italy, such as “The Avengers,” the “007” series, and “Wonder Woman.” Italy’s efforts to attract international filmmakers include the Italian Film Distribution Fund and national and regional tax incentives, supporting the production of foreign films in Italy.
The event also included the screening of “Olimpia’s Way” (“Acqua e Anice”), starring Stefania Sandrelli, an official selection of the 2022 Venice Film Festival Giornate degli Autori, and well-received by Chinese audiences.
Following Beijing, “Italian Screens” will showcase 10 Italian films in Hong Kong from November 23 to 30, underlining the ongoing commitment to cinematic collaboration between China and Italy. This collaboration seeks to create a rich cultural exchange, fostering artistic innovation and deepening mutual understanding through the universal language of cinema.
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