Sicily has announced it is opening a new fund for financing films and television productions. The sum allocated for 2022 and 2023 is €10.8 million, which will be administered by the Sicilian Film Commission.
Regional administrators hope this new fund will revitalize the island by stimulating employment, local services and tourism. An article in the Gazzetta Ufficiale describes this initiative as enhancing “local history, culture, traditions,” making “a positive impact on employment in Sicily.”
The fund is distributed as follows: €8.8 million has been earmarked for drama films and television projects, with a maximum of €1 million per project; €1.8 million will be for documentaries and series, with a limit set at €200,000 per project; the same amount will be allocated to short films, with a ceiling of €40,000. Animated films are accepted in every category. Grants will cover up to 20% of total production costs.
Applications are open to production companies from the European Union which have been in business for at least 2 years. This includes producers, co-producers or associate producers. Non–EU companies will have to make an executive production agreement with a company resident in the EU.
Beneficiaries undertake to spend 150% of the amount received in Sicily and to complete their project within 18 months of the decree granting the finance. A three-month extension may be allowed.
Two sessions are planned for the year 2022: June 1st to 30th and September 1st to 30th. All information is available on the website of the Sicily Film Commission.
Sources: Cineuropa, Commission du Film de Sicile, KFTV
