A strong signal for South Tyrol as a film location: around 230 guests from the international film industry celebrated together with IDM Film & Music Commission in Berlin. In addition to the traditional reception, the focus was on networking, promoting local talent, and presenting upcoming initiatives.
An evening fully dedicated to South Tyrolean cinema: at the 76th Berlin International Film Festival, IDM Film & Music Commission celebrated the 15th anniversary of its film fund. Around 230 guests accepted the invitation to toast to 15 years of achievements and to the development of South Tyrol as a film location, making the evening an ideal platform for exchange and networking.
Focus on “Local Talents” and new initiatives
To mark the occasion, eleven striking portraits of the “Local Talents” were showcased. Shot by photographer Daniele Fiorentino, they highlight the diversity of professionals active in the local film industry. In addition, IDM’s new showreel —produced by local filmmaker Lorenz Klapfer — celebrated its premiere, offering a dynamic presentation of the wide spectrum of funded projects.
Guests and long-standing partners
Renate Ranzi (Head of IDM Film & Music Commission) and Margit Gamper (Director of the IDM Business Development Department), together with South Tyrol’s Vice-President Marco Galateo, welcomed numerous partners and film professionals. Among the guests were representatives from well-established partners, the ZeLIG - School for Documentary in Bolzano and the Bolzano Film Festival Bozen, as well as a distinguished international audience.
From the production world, notable attendees included — for the German-speaking industry — Philipp Kreuzer (maze pictures), Michael Lehmann (Studio Hamburg), and Cordula Kablitz-Post (Avanti Media); and from the Italian side, Giulia Casavecchia (PiperPlay), Alessandro Passadore (Viola Film), and Gaetano Maiorino (True Colours).
The South Tyrolean film scene was also strongly represented: producers such as Wilfried Gufler (Albolina Film) and Markus Frings (movie.mento) took advantage of the networking opportunities in Berlin, as did actors Michael Klammer, Anna Unterberger, Thomas Prenn, and award-winning directors Evi Romen and Andreas Pichler.
Active market presence and support for emerging talents
IDM made the most of the Berlinale as a showcase for upcoming activities and as an additional platform to raise visibility for local professionals:
- Talents Circles: As part of Berlinale Talents, IDM presented the short film program MASO to around 200 international emerging filmmakers. The format underscores IDM’s commitment to offering aspiring filmmakers a platform from the very beginning of their careers.
- Delegation Visitors Programme: During the market days, South Tyrol was also represented in Berlin by a delegation of three producers. Martin Alan Tranquillini (Abisso Studio), Giulia Zerpelloni (Kamera Film), and Georg Zeller (Safari Film) used the European Film Market (EFM) for project-related meetings and to connect with the broader network of international industry professionals.
Conclusion and outlook
The anniversary reception and the accompanying activities in Berlin highlight IDM’s importance as a link between local filmmakers and the international film community. The increasing visibility of South Tyrol at festivals and markets strengthens a strategy aimed at sustainably enhancing the region as a film location through targeted funding, training, and collaborations with international partners.