Korea & Italy Producers Forge Direct Link

The Producers Guild of Korea (PGK) and Italy's CNA Cinema e Audiovisivo solidified a direct partnership by signing a memorandum of understanding on Sunday at the Asian Contents & Film Market (ACFM) held during the Busan International Film Festival. This accord aims to enhance film co-productions by connecting the producer communities of both nations.

The agreement, signed at the Italian Pavilion, designates each body as a point of contact for joint ventures. It includes sharing information on available public funding and organizing regular exchange programs, such as yearly meetings and business-to-business sessions. These events will take place in Korea and Italy, as well as at international markets like ACFM and Rome's MIA.

This initiative complements the existing government-level co-production accord between Italy and South Korea. While the governmental agreement set the institutional framework, this producers' pact focuses on practical collaboration, encouraging co-productions, shoots in Italy, and direct exchanges. The PGK, with nearly 300 members, has previously formed similar partnerships with other international guilds, including those in Canada, Hong Kong, Indonesia, and Brazil. CNA Cinema e Audiovisivo, Italy's largest audiovisual business representative body, expressed confidence that this collaboration will create ambitious joint projects.