Cinema Reform: Chamber of Deputies Paves the Way for a New System in the Audiovisual Sector
A cross-party agreement (218 votes in favor, 6 against, no abstentions) allowed the Chamber of Deputies to give first-round approval to a bill set to significantly reshape the governance, funding, and worker protections within Italy’s film and audiovisual industry.
According to Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli, the outcome reflects dialogue between different political forces and marks the start of a new chapter in the relationship between the state and the film sector, built on mutual cooperation.
Among the bill’s key provisions is the establishment of a dedicated body, the Agency for Cinema and Audiovisual, which will take over the operational and administrative responsibilities currently held by the Ministry of Culture’s Directorate-General for Cinema and Audiovisual. The Ministry will retain responsibility for setting policy direction and oversight. Planning cycles will also shift to a three-year framework, aimed at giving industry operators greater continuity and certainty.
The tax credit system will undergo a substantial overhaul as well, with new parameters accounting for company size, the artistic merit of projects, and the reasonableness of proposed costs.
On the employment front, the reform seeks to modernize social protection tools for professionals in the sector — technicians, artists, and crew members — with particular attention to those facing greater economic hardship, for whom a dedicated solidarity fund will be created. A new permanent consultation body, the Cinema and Audiovisual Forum, will also be established to directly involve industry operators in shaping sector policy.
The political mood surrounding the bill appeared notably cooperative across party lines. Deputy Minister Lucia Borgonzoni highlighted encouraging 2026 figures, with box office revenue up more than 20% compared to pre-pandemic levels and growing audiences for Italian films, noting that Italy is the only major market to have already surpassed pre-Covid figures. Fabio Roscani of Brothers of Italy described the move as a long-awaited turning point for the industry. Positive signals also came from the Democratic Party, with leader Elly Schlein acknowledging the cultural value of cinema while calling for guaranteed funding in the upcoming budget law. Noi Moderati also voiced approval, with Ilaria Cavo pointing to the economic and employment significance of a sector worth billions of euros and involving tens of thousands of professionals.
The bill now moves to the Senate, where the final framework for the new rules governing the entire film industry will be determined.
Photo Credits: Ffeeddee, via Wikimedia Commons
