Interview with Jacopo Chessa, Director of Veneto Film Commission and president of the Italian Film Commissions Association at Focus London 2025

At Focus London 2025, Fred Film Radio spoke with Jacopo Chessa, Director of the Veneto Film Commission and President of the Italian Film Commissions Association, about Italy’s film commission system, Veneto’s recent screen successes, and why international collaboration is now central to the industry.

How Film Commissions Work — and Why Italy Attracts Productions

Jacopo Chessa explained that Italy’s film commissions operate at a regional level, with all 20 regions offering public support to film and TV productions. This includes funding, permits and infrastructure, with around €80 million in regional funding available each year nationally, on top of national incentives. A key aim, he stressed, is attracting international productions while working collaboratively across regions rather than competitively.

Veneto on Screen: Venice, Festivals, and Global TV

Focusing on Veneto, Jacopo Chessa described Venice as both a global brand and a challenging place to film, requiring experience and careful planning. He outlined the region’s €6 million annual fund, supporting up to 50% of local costs, and reflected on a wide mix of recent projects. These ranged from Cannes-selected “Le città di pianura (The Last One for the Road)” and Venice competition title “Duse”, to large-scale productions such as “Dune: Part Two”, “FBI International” and “Emily in Paris”. On the TV side, he also highlighted “Stucky”, affectionately describing it as a Venetian take on “Columbo”.

Green Film, Focus London, and Looking Forward

Chessa spoke about sustainability initiatives, including the adoption of the Green Film protocol and an upcoming international training programme to develop green managers for film sets. He described Focus London as a particularly useful, location-driven market and highlighted the newly signed agreement with the British Film Commission as a practical first step towards deeper collaboration. Looking ahead, he emphasised the need for stronger organisation, international presence and better communication around contemporary Italian cinema, noting with pride that Veneto had enjoyed a standout year across major festivals.

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This interview was recorded during the Focus London 2025, in partnership with the Italian Film Commissions Association and with the support of the Italian Trade Agency.