Within the context of Bifest (Bari International Film Festival) a twinning agreement was signed between Apulia Film Commission and Film London, a London based agency whose purpose is to support local audiovisual industry. Chairman of Apulia F.C. Maurizio Sciarra stressed the importance of this agreement for ” the Apulia and Italian audiovisual industry. It will give local talents a real opportunity to interact at an international level, by promoting, for example, their participation to exclusive market meetings in London. Italian cinema is not at all withdrawn”.
Adrian Wotton, Chief Executive of Film London, confirmed their eagerness to promote international cooperation, and he was echoed by Aldo Patruno, Director of the Region cultural department, who added:” in an era of strong political divisions (I am referring especially to Brexit), this agreement is a very important signal of coehsion, also from a political viewpoint”.
The purpose of the agreement is to strengthen partnerships between the two film commissions through a number of concrete actions aimed at the promotion of talents: the first appointment is the Microschool in the first months of 2018, followed by the Micromarket with the participation of two Apulia teams composed of emerging talents. Simultaneously, two English teams will attend the Mediterranean Forum of Coproduction, organised by Apulia Film Commission at the end of the year.
