25 Years of cinema in Friuli

What key elements have defined the path of the FVG Film Commission over the past 25 years? The first steps, the milestones, the future developments.
Two of the founders, Guido Cassano and Gianluca Novel, are still with us today and remain the cornerstones of that original vision: without them, we probably would not be able to achieve what we do today. Since 2022, I have been coordinating this institution, carrying forward the important legacy of Federico Poillucci, who was President until 2021 – a crucial moment, when the Film Commission changed its legal status from an association to a regional structure. Thanks to this long and fruitful journey, I believe we can now say that we are one of the most reliable reference points at the national level, both for the services we provide to productions and for the financial support we are able to offer. Funding is of course essential, but in itself it does not guarantee the quality of a film product. That quality must be fostered with great care for the services we deliver, by accompanying productions on the ground from the earliest development stages of each project. It is a continuous process of support. The region now boasts a wealth of highly qualified professionals: we are able to simultaneously support up to three large-scale productions. This year, for instance, we discreetly hosted Ridley Scott for three weeks of shooting. The people of Friuli Venezia Giulia are naturally inclined to respect the confidentiality required by film productions – something that does not happen everywhere. This discretion is valued and rewarded by producers, many of whom return to us after their first experience here. Promotion has also grown considerably over the past three years thanks to the integration of FVG Film Commission into the regional body PromoTurismoFVG, which has significantly strengthened investment in communication and visibility – from advertising campaigns to festival spaces. Another crucial factor, especially for industry insiders, is word of mouth and the professionalism consistently demonstrated in the region. We are not afraid to say “no”: if our territory cannot enhance a project, we do not offer locations at all costs. Equally important is the role we play during the scouting phase, working alongside productions even in the writing stage, before a location manager comes into play. In this way, we can sometimes help adapt the screenplay to highlight lesser-known sites that, thanks to cinema, become part of the narrative and are discovered. This year we also succeeded in implementing a major product placement operation for a significant film – an initiative built by a public body rather than private companies, made possible precisely because we supported the project from its earliest stages.

Regions distinguish and promote themselves through funding. What is your policy in this regard?
With the integration of FVG Film Commission into PromoTurismoFVG, and thanks to the strategic vision of the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region, the Department of Productive Activities and Tourism has doubled the Film Fund’s resources, strengthening the territory’s competitiveness. Over the years, we have built strong relationships with most local authorities, so that in many municipalities, through our mediation, productions can access services free of charge, such as the use of public spaces. What makes the difference is not only financial support, but everything that can be built and maintained over time, despite changes in administrations. As for direct contributions, films and series can receive up to €300,000, a figure in line with many other Film Commissions. Since 2023, with the new Film Fund regulations, funding is closely tied to declared local spending: the more you spend, the more you can receive, based on a scoring system. We have also introduced a 15% margin of flexibility during the reporting phase. An interesting fact is that more and more out-of-region productions are choosing to do their post-production work here as well, highlighting the excellent quality of services available locally.

A small region, but with remarkable landscape variety. How valuable is this asset?
Extremely valuable. Within an hour you can move from historic cities to UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as Aquileia, Cividale, or Palmanova, from the beaches of Grado and Lignano to the mountains of Tarvisio and Sappada. And of course Trieste, the regional capital, with its unique light that makes every season special, a setting chosen for the hit series Libera, filmed entirely here. This is an enormous advantage for productions, which can easily access very different environments within a short distance. A concrete example: Ridley Scott was looking for a decommissioned airport with a post-apocalyptic atmosphere, but with mountains nearby. We suggested the Bordano airfield, and he fell in love with it immediately. This ability to offer variety, convenience, and flexibility is what makes Friuli Venezia Giulia so highly valued by filmmakers.