At Focus London 2025, we spoke with Gianluca Leurini, Executive Producer at Eagle Pictures, about the value of international collaboration, the role of film commissions in Italy, and the realities of producing large-scale cinema today.
Why Focus London Still Matters
Gianluca Leurini spoke about Focus London as a valuable opportunity to meet international producers, suppliers and film commissions face to face, stressing that in-person conversations remain far more effective than virtual exchanges. He highlighted the importance of understanding how production landscapes differ across countries and described the event as a space not only to explain Italy’s tax incentives, but also to learn from how other territories operate. For Eagle Pictures, Focus London offered a chance to strengthen existing relationships and build new ones across Europe and beyond.
Working with Film Commissions and Major Productions
Reflecting on the Italian system, Gianluca Leurini described regional film commissions as central to the country’s production success, pointing to regions such as Piedmont and Apulia as examples of how strong local crews have been developed over time. He explained how this growth has reduced the need to bring crews from Rome, making regional production more sustainable and attractive to international projects. Among the highlights of his career, Gianluca Leurini mentioned working on large-scale productions including “Kingsman”, “Dune: Part Two” and “Point Break”, as well as more recent production services on a major MGM-backed project.
Big Screen Ambitions, Challenges, and Memorable Moments
Gianluca Leurini was clear about his personal preference for cinema over television, expressing a strong attachment to the big-screen experience despite the rise of high-budget TV series. Looking ahead, he spoke candidly about uncertainty in the Italian industry due to changes around incentives, while acknowledging that managing budgets has always been part of a producer’s challenge. Ending on a high note, he recalled the demanding but rewarding experience of shooting extreme snowboarding and avalanche scenes for “Point Break” in the Italian mountains, describing days spent at high altitude, freezing temperatures and real explosions — moments that, while gruelling, remain among his most memorable on set.
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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.
