IDM Film & Music Commission Südtirol is pleased to have been one of EAVE Producers Workshop 2026 (14–21 June) host partners for the workshop in Bolzano. The second module of EAVE’s year-long training programme brought 55 participants from 35 countries, 17 screenwriters, and 19 international experts to South Tyrol.
IDM opened some parts of the programme: Several plenary sessions were made accessible to local professionals, targeting filmmakers and producers from the Triveneto region (South Tyrol, Trentino, Veneto, and Friuli Venezia Giulia). The programme covered a wide range of topics, including international co-productions, financing, distribution, legal issues, digital marketing, platform strategies, lobbying, as well as sustainability and diversification strategies for production companies.
Producing in and with South Tyrol
A key focus of the workshop was showcasing the opportunities for producing in and with South Tyrol. Renate Ranzi (IDM), Nela Märki (FAS), and Thomas Righetti (ZeLIG) presented regional funding opportunities, the local ecosystem of filmmakers, and prospects for collaboration. In addition, seven producers from the Triveneto region had the opportunity to develop their projects further in tailor-made working groups. The open plenary sessions provided the local industry with access to expertise, networking opportunities, and potential international partnerships.
Three questions for Debora Nischler (Albolina Film), EAVE participant
You have already participated in several EAVE workshops – what practical benefits and impulses do the sessions provide for your current production work?
I am participating in the EAVE Producers Workshop as a Career Participant, which means that I receive valuable input and advice from both the experts and the other participants regarding my development as a producer and the concrete challenges of the projects I am currently working on. I also learned an incredible amount from the film projects brought in by the so-called Project Participants, which we discussed in detail. Every project is unique, but many aspects are universal – for example, the challenges of supporting and accompanying directors from the initial idea through to the release of the film.
How do you evaluate the opportunity to connect with international producers during the workshop in Bolzano?
Taking part in this workshop is a great privilege. In our daily work, we often only see our own challenges and problems. Through the exchange with international colleagues, you experience a great sense of solidarity and a deep understanding of the demanding nature of this profession. At the same time, it helps to put your own perspective into context, learn from challenges that are often much bigger than your own, and deepen your knowledge of film industries in other countries, where there are indeed many differences.
What role can South Tyrol play as a production location for your projects – and what kind of support would you still like to see from IDM?
South Tyrol and its film funding system have made it possible for companies such as Albolina Film to emerge and produce internationally. In recent years, a lot has been invested in the professionalisation of the location and its producers. My colleagues and I have taken advantage of these opportunities, and our film projects now benefit from them. I would like IDM Film Funding to further strengthen its commitment to women in film and enable us producers to develop more heads of department through targeted programmes.
Three questions for Renate Ranzi (Head of IDM Film & Music Commission Südtirol)
What goals does IDM pursue with the cooperation and hosting of the EAVE Producers Workshop in Bolzano?
EAVE has been a very important network for us for many years, as it is one of the most renowned workshops for producers in Europe. We already had the opportunity to host an EAVE workshop in Bolzano back in 2014, and it was a real enhancer for the territory, especially for our local filmmakers and producers. We are now building on this experience: our goal is to increase the visibility of South Tyrol as a film location, strengthen international connections, and at the same time provide local professionals with direct access to this network.
How do local producers and filmmakers benefit from the open plenary sessions?
During the EAVE week, several open “Plenary Sessions” were available to external participants who were not part of the full EAVE programme. It was important for us to open this opportunity to producers and filmmakers from the Triveneto region because we believe that exchange and collaboration with neighbouring regions create a win-win situation for everyone. The sessions offer the opportunity to expand knowledge and gain practical insights into current industry topics – from financing and co-production to new market developments. Networking and exchange with the experts, the EAVE team, and other participants also play a central role, and this aspect has repeatedly been highlighted by former participants.
What measures is IDM planning to assess the long-term impact of the EAVE cooperation on the South Tyrolean film scene?
We will certainly continue maintaining a close dialogue with EAVE. We are constantly working to enable local producers to participate at the EAVE workshop. Since many years, we support local producers if selected for the workshop, to make them benefit from this unique programme. We aim to continue supporting local to attend EAVEbecause EAVE alumni bring knowledge and expertise they have gained back to the local film industry, creating an important transfer of know-how from which the entire sector benefits. As production conditions are constantly evolving, EAVE is also an important driver for current and future trends, which are passed on to participants and, consequently, to the region as well.
IDM Film & Music Commission Südtirol sees the collaboration with EAVE as an important opportunity to strengthen the expertise of local producers, position South Tyrol as a creative production hub, and initiate new international connections.