Interview with Luciano Vigna, Director, Calabria Film Commission

Resources on the increase, a range of professionals growing in expertise, support from the Film Commission at every stage of the production process

“The beautiful lighting, sets and locations all contributed to the ultra-realistic feel of the series –most appropriate given that it is based on real events and real people – the courageous women who have resisted decades of oppression and misogyny and who were crucial in toppling the Calabrian mafia.”  This was the motivation for awarding the inaugural “Berlinale Series Award” to The Good Mothers, which shot for 6 weeks mostly in Calabria, at the 2023 Berlin Film Festival.

The award gives a good idea of the effect that this region in Southern Italy – a place of sea and mountains, ancient villages and modern cities – has on the productions that choose to shoot here and on the viewers who get to know it from films and series. In addition, the Regione has been investing in the industry with an annual fund for several years now, the Film Commission offers assistance at every stage of the production process and a growing roster of professionals to provide support.

“The most important Call in the Fondazione’s history was announced at the end of 2022, with an overall budget of € 7,318,725, and resulted in the funding of 50 audiovisual and cinematic productions – says Luciano Vigna, Director of the Calabria Film Commission. – Overall, there are 65 sets in the region for 2023, including those productions who received funding with previous calls but have not yet begun shooting.”

What are the strengths of your Film Commission in supporting productions?

Getting local entities from the places that interest productions involved creates cooperation, simplifies procedures and reduces costs

Our premier strength is due to the vision of the Regione Calabria, our only partner, and its decision to invest in the audiovisual and film industry by providing the Fondazione with the appropriate means to carry out activities which include welcoming domestic and international productions who can all benefit from the significant financial contributions available through regular calls for projects shooting in Calabria. Production support is, however, not limited to the financial; management is available to accompany and support productions in every stage, from preparation to final accounting; very often the Fondazione plays a key role in creating partnership agreements and networks with private and public entities whose estates are of interest to productions, thereby setting up the significant involvement of local entities which results in both wide-ranging cooperation and the simplification of procedures and, occasionally, in reducing the costs of several services.

Why should productions choose to shoot in Calabria?

From variegated landscapes to a range of professionals providing production support: Calabria has so much to offer film and audiovisual projects

On the landscape front, Calabria has several unique features.  Mountain and sea are accessible within just miles of each other.  The territory has a wealth of splendid villages, contemporary cities and university locations which reflect the presence of a large number of young adults.  Then there are the places that offer evocative settings in an area that has so much to offer from a cinematic perspective.  In addition to all this, there is a roster of local professionals that is continuously on the increase and available to offer high level support, as demonstrated on the numerous productions in recent years which have won awards at festivals and the appreciation of the public.

What are the most surprising and unlikely locations that you’ve suggested as sets?

Calabria is chosen mostly because of the landscapes on offer, an extensive and variegated natural set.  For example, the landscapes in The Good Mothers (locations) were mentioned in the motivation for the award won by the series at the Berlin Film Festival.

Several scenes for Manetti Bros.’ Diabolik, chi sei? were shot in the magnificent surroundings of the Tonnara di Palmi and Isola di Dino, off Praia a Mare. [This is the third, and final, episode in the story of the masked thief created by the Giussani sisters and is scheduled for release in Italy on 26 October -  details here Ed.]

Meanwhile the caves of Pollino were used for Michelangelo Frammartino’s Il buco which won an award at the Venice Film Festival (locations here).

Any news about upcoming productions or activities involving the Film Commission?

The 2023 Call for Productions is on the way

We hope that the productions are able to close the 50 scheduled sets within their dates, this number demonstrates huge interest in Calabria, which is useful to our Fondazione so that we can activate more services and train more professional resources to offer even more specialized support.  To this end, we’ve started an important training course with ANICA, and we’re also working with Cinecittà, discussing expertise with regards to the film studios to be built in the industrial area of Lamezia Terme, the project has already been assigned. In addition, there are ongoing activities relating to the Fondazione’s function as a driver of tourism for Calabria.

The Call for Productions 2023 will be presented on 7 September at the Venice Film Festival.