MIA Wraps with Attendance Bump

The tenth edition of MIA—Mercato Internazionale Audiovisivo, promoted by ANICA (National Association of Cinematographic, Audiovisual and Digital Industries) and APA (Audiovisual Producers Association), has concluded, with a 10 percent increase in attendance from 2023.

The market saw over 2,800 participants from 60 countries around the world. Over 600 projects were received this year for the co-production market and pitching forum, up 20 percent on 2023, with a 12.5 percent increase in the number of countries of origin.

During the final day, the MIA awards were announced. Among these, the new MIA development awards, established to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the market, were awarded to four projects selected in the four categories of the co-production market and pitching forum, decided by international juries of industry experts. Cash prizes will go to support the development of the winning work for each category.

MIA is supported by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, ITA—Italian Trade Agency and the contribution of Creative Europe Media. It also receives support from the Italian Ministry of Culture, the Italian Ministry of Enterprises, Made in Italy and the Lazio Region. The official sponsor of the event is Unicredit, while Eurimages also patronizes.

Francesco Rutelli, president of ANICA, said: “MIA continues to grow and has established itself as a high-profile event capable of engaging the entire audiovisual industry. In its tenth year, it reaffirms its ability to attract international players’ attention, interest and resources to the national system, contributing to the growth of Italian companies’ capacity to develop dialogues and collaborations essential for the advancement of the industry, employment, products and the soft power of our country. Each year, international recognition and the participation of decision-makers increase, both in the extensive initiatives and conferences as well as in the B2B matchmaking activities. This success rewards the great work of director Gaia Tridente and her team, along with the constant efforts of ANICA and APA.”

Chiara Sbarigia, president of APA, added: “This edition of MIA has successfully attracted and expanded the international audience, a result that, as APA, strengthens the voice of producers in the audiovisual sector. The internationalization of the industry depends both on our sector’s ability to modernize and train new professionals and on making our regions more competitive. I am confident that the path we are pursuing and the work we are doing are heading directly in this direction.”

Gaia Tridente, director of MIA, commented: “Thanks to its strong identity and credibility, MIA has now earned an important place in the agendas of international operators. It is a unique curatorial market, a strategic player in the co-production market and a fundamental engine for the financing, distribution and circulation of works and talents. It represents the needs of an entire ecosystem made up of the different industries and genres that make up the audiovisual sector, offering dedicated activities for the different formats, taking into account both distribution in theaters and consumption on TV and platforms. It is a mirror of the transformation of the audiovisual sector, capable of capturing and anticipating changes with particular attention to technological innovation for the creative industries.”