In Rome, Netflix chief Ted Sarandos arrived to unveil a symbolic collaboration with Italy’s Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia (CSC) to refurbish and reopen the historic Cinema Europa theatre.
The announcement came at the Ministry of Culture amid a flurry of activity, with the MIA Market and the Rome Film Festival nearby. Cinema Europa, which hosted Italy’s first public film screening, was shuttered during the pandemic and will be rebuilt as a hub for film culture, education and research.
Netflix will cover part of the renovation costs and will use the venue for non‑commercial programs and special events. The CSC will take charge of the theatre’s management and programming, aiming to make the venue a beacon for the National Film Archive’s outreach and for the school’s students’ projects.
A milestone for Italian film culture
Sarandos framed the project as more than a restoration; it is a cross‑sector collaboration that links public support with private investment to advance Italian cinema on the world stage. He pressed home Netflix’s decade in Italy, noting involvement in more than a thousand Italian productions and a footprint across more than 100 cities since 2015, along with thousands of jobs supported and billions of euros added to the economy. Netflix says it has supported over 5,500 jobs and contributed more than €1.1 billion to Italy’s economy between 2021 and 2024.
During the announcement, a video address from Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli praised the agreement as a concrete example of virtuous collaboration between public and private sectors, and as a boost for young talent and Italian film culture worldwide.
The CSC’s role will center on day‑to‑day management and programming, ensuring Cinema Europa serves as a living platform for the National Film Archive’s outreach and the National Film School’s student projects. The plan envisions a space where filmmakers, scholars and students can meet, exchange ideas and celebrate storytelling.
Placed within Netflix’s broader Italian footprint, the initiative underscores the streamer’s ongoing support for Italy’s cultural landscape while showcasing its commitment to Italian talent and heritage.
Source: Original article
