Focus London 2025, interview with Stefania Ippoliti, Director of Toscana Film Commission

At Focus London 2025, Fred Film Radio spoke with Stefania Ippoliti, Director of the Toscana Film Commission, about the evolving role of film commissions, what Tuscany continues to offer productions, and why international collaboration feels more important than ever.

Making Tuscany Work for Productions

Ippoliti described the core role of a film commission as welcoming productions from Italy and abroad and helping them navigate everything from permits to local systems they may not be familiar with. While Tuscany is already a globally recognised brand for its culture and landscapes, she stressed that a key part of the commission’s work is making it genuinely easier for producers to set up and shoot in the region. Alongside financial support, this includes acting as a bridge between international working habits and local realities, helping productions feel “at home” while filming.

From Romance to Railways

Talking about the kinds of stories drawn to Tuscany, Ippoliti noted the continued popularity of romantic narratives, particularly for platforms, often centred on characters from different cultures meeting in the Tuscan countryside. At the same time, she highlighted a broad mix of productions, including documentaries, unscripted work and TV series. Among the projects she mentioned with particular pride were the series “The Monster of Florence”, which revisits a traumatic chapter of local history, and “Jay Kelly” by Noah Baumbach, shot in Tuscany in part because of the region’s unique railway depots housing historic trains. These less obvious assets, she explained, are just as important as Tuscany’s famous cities and landscapes.

Focus London, the Future, and a Personal Wish

Ippoliti described her return to Focus London as especially meaningful this year, highlighting the newly signed agreement with UK institutions and Tuscany’s long-standing cultural ties with British creatives. She spoke about the potential of stronger UK-Italy collaboration, particularly as a bridge to the American market. Looking ahead, she expressed less concern about AI than about global political instability and its impact on cultural industries, stressing the importance of continuing to support film as both a cultural and economic sector. Ending on a lighter note, Ippoliti shared her personal wish to work more closely with Shonda Rhimes, praising her as a powerful creative entrepreneur and jokingly suggesting a “Tuscany-style” take on “Bridgerton”.