Sarandos traveled to Rome to celebrate a decade of Netflix in Italy and used the moment to unveil a new partnership with the Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia, the country’s historic film school. The plan centers on refurbishing and reopening Cinema Europa, a landmark theater that was shuttered during the pandemic.
The project transforms the venue into a hub for education, research and the preservation of Italian film heritage, with CSC taking charge of programming and day‑to‑day operations. It’s described as a new home for film students and enthusiasts alike in the Italian capital.
Netflix will back the effort with a €4 million sponsorship over five years, helping cover renovation costs, ongoing management and a slate of cultural and educational activities. The project is framed as a modern cinema laboratory for Rome, built around CSC’s stewardship.
The opening is slated for late 2026, with the venue poised to join Cinecittà Studios in shaping Italy’s screen culture for years to come.
Over the past decade, Netflix’s presence in Italy has connected with local creators and projects, resulting in more than 1,000 Italian films and series reaching audiences worldwide.
At the event, Netflix’s Eleonora Andreatta, the VP of Italian originals, stood with CSC’s leadership as Italy’s culture minister Alessandro Giuli delivered a video address. CSC president Gabriella Buontempo lauded the collaboration as a concrete answer to the school’s needs while highlighting CSC’s 90 years of cinema history.
Located near Cinecittà Studios, Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia is among Europe’s oldest and most competitive film schools. Its graduates include notable figures who have shaped international cinema, underscoring the institution’s enduring influence.
The Cinema Europa project marks a multi‑year tilt into Italy’s film ecosystem, with Netflix’s investment supporting cultural activity and local employment while expanding opportunities for training and experimentation in Rome.
Source: Original article
