In this moment of great uncertainty and difficulties at the time of programming activities, especially in the case of Film Festivals and Markets around the world, Istituto Luce-Cinecittà wants to send a message of renewal, continuity and vitality, as it announces the dates of the Italian Screenings 2020, the only annual market exclusively dedicated to Italian cinema, one of the most important events for the internationalization of our films. The Italian Screenings 2020 will take place from July 21st through the 24th.
Now at its 17th edition, this event has always been characterized by the choice of its locations, a different town in Italy every time, testifying a strong bond with the various territories of our country. This year is no exception, as the Italian Screenings will explore a new virtual territory, and will be organized entirely online.
This will be made possible thanks to Festival Scope, a platform well known by major Festivals worldwide, which guarantees the streaming of films with the highest security and quality standards. A tool which is commonly used and often vital for industry professionals, who use it also for the screening of promos, trailers and for networking.
The virtual experience will therefore allow the Italian Screenings to give visibility to the entire range of Italian productions, showcasing one more time its richness in terms of stories, styles and emotions, and telling the world that Italian cinema does not stop. Even more so, at a time when the global audience is eager to receive new audiovisual contents.
The Italian Screenings will host the most recent Italian productions, offered to an audience of buyers coming from all over the world, from several world sales companies. The program is likely to include around 40 titles, most of which will be world premières.
Among these titles there will be productions much expected from box offices - comedies, genre films and films by directors beloved by the audience - along with more independent and arthouse films.
In terms of attendance, the Italian Screenings 2020 intend to double the number of professionals, coming from Europe, North and Latin America, Asia, extending their guest list to broadcasters and VOD platforms. This should result in a stream of around 200 buyers and dozens of sales companies.
The Italian Screenings are organized by the Filmitalia Department of Istituto Luce Cinecittà, in collaboration with Unefa (Union of Italian Film and Audiovisual Exporters) - whose members agree with us on the strategic relevance of this event for the success of Italian cinema abroad.
This year, more than ever, the Italian Screenings claim the ability of Italian films to talk to the world and to travel throughout the world, and wish to send a signal to all the production sector: there is room for recovery and creativity, through every possible tool. We wish to continue to do what Italian cinema can do, against any fear or feeling of uncertainty: it can give emotions, entertain, move, enrich the lives of its spectators, wherever in the world they are.