Veneto Film Commission, backed by funding from the Veneto Region (PR FESR 2021–2027 call), continues to support internationally recognized productions, including three films nominated for the David di Donatello Awards—the Italian equivalent of the Oscars, set to take place on May 6: The Last One for the Road – Le città di pianura by Francesco Sossai (16 nominations), winner of 8 David di Donatello Awards including Best Film and Best Director, Duse by Pietro Marcello (8), and Primavera by Damiano Michieletto (7).
The Italian region – home to Venice – attracts major productions, from Ridley Scott’s latest film to international series like Emily in Paris, The Beauty and FBI: International.
“We had the honor of supporting three auteur films with international ambition that have screened at major festivals and collectively earned 31 nominations at Italy’s most prestigious awards,”
comments Jacopo Chessa, Director of the Veneto Film Commission.
“This is a groundbreaking result for the Veneto Region. Our ambition is to make this the new normal.”
Chessa points in particular to The Last One for the Road and Primavera—two titles deeply rooted in the region that are nonetheless connecting with international audiences and beginning to build momentum beyond Italy.
Premiering in Cannes’ Un Certain Regard section last year to strong reviews, The Last One for the Road is directed by Veneto-born filmmaker Francesco Sossai, who trained in Berlin. Shot in the Venetian countryside with largely local crews and non-professional actors, the film unfolds as a “boozy” road movie steeped in the region’s alcohol making culture—“a film about the social ritual of drinking,” as Sossai has described it, “which remains central to life in Veneto.”
The story follows its characters in a restless search for the last “ombra”—a small glass of booze—moving from bar to bar across the region, from the Dolomites to the Venetian Lagoon. Among its standout locations is the Brion Memorial in Altivole, the final work of renowned architect Carlo Scarpa, a striking concrete structure influenced by Japanese design that also featured in Denis Villeneuve’s Dune: Part Two.
Following a strong theatrical run in Italy last autumn, bolstered by word of mouth, The Last One for the Road has begun its international rollout. The film is sold worldwide by Lucky Number, with distribution deals including New Story (France), Bulldog Film Distribution (U.K.) and La Aventura (Spain). Its 16 David nominations place it ahead of Grace, the latest film from Oscar winner Paolo Sorrentino, which earned 14.
Michieletto’s Primavera, his feature debut after a career in theater, is also making a notable international push, having been sold to more than 50 territories by Paradise City Sales. Loosely adapted from Tiziano Scarpa’s Strega Prize–winning novel Stabat Mater, the film is set in early 18th-century Venice and centers on Cecilia, a young orphan violinist whose life is transformed by the arrival of composer Antonio Vivaldi.
Produced by Warner Bros. Entertainment Italia and Indigo Film, Primavera premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2025 before launching theatrically in the U.K. and Ireland on April 24, followed by France, Switzerland and South Korea on April 29. Additional releases include Belgium (May 6), Germany (May 21), Japan and Norway (May 22), with Austria, Sweden and Spain set for later dates. Key distribution partners include Diaphana (France), Curzon (U.K.), Cineart (Belgium), Frenetic (Switzerland), A Contracorriente (Spain), X-Verleih (Germany) and Happy Song (South Korea).
Veneto’s growing international profile extends well beyond independent cinema. While Venice’s streets, canals and palaces have recently hosted productions such as FBI: International, The Beauty and Netflix’s Emily in Paris, Ridley Scott selected Pian del Cansiglio—on the border between Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia—to shoot scenes for The Dog Stars, the upcoming Twentieth Century Fox/Disney feature.
And it’s not limited to large-scale productions. Filming is nearing completion along the Veneto coastline between Jesolo and Caorle on Morgen Ist Jetzt, a remake of Mañana es hoy, directed by Tarek Roehlinger and produced by W&B Television and Viola Film.
“Veneto has become an increasingly sought-after filming destination, from the Dolomites to the Po Delta, from the Prosecco hills to the coastline—no longer defined solely by the iconic Venice and Verona,”
said Luigi Bacialli, president of the Veneto Film Commission.
A key role in facilitating these productions is played by line producers, who act as essential intermediaries in accessing incentives and coordinating local operations, working closely with the territory and its institutions bringing the expertise required to oversee complex productions. The region boasts a strong network of such professionals, including 360 Degrees Film (Nicola Rosada), Kplus Film (Nicola Fedrigoni) and Mestiere Cinema (Guido Cerasuolo).
The region’s appeal is further strengthened by the Veneto Film Fund. “The next call will launch in mid-May,” Chessa noted, adding that the funding framework continues to prioritize high-quality projects with strong promotional potential. The Film Commission also supports international productions through its location scouting fund, working closely with international productions to promote the discovery of the territory.”
This process has been significantly streamlined since last year through a database whose IT infrastructure was upgraded in partnership with the German company Filmaker System. The platform enables an immediate match between production needs and local resources, resulting in clear savings in both time and costs for producers.
This focus on international productions is shared by Valeria Mantovan, Regional Councillor for Education, Training, Labor, Equal Opportunities and Culture of the Veneto Region, who said:
“Veneto aims to position itself as a hub of excellence for global cinema. Through targeted incentives, Film Commission services, and a unique combination of art, nature and UNESCO heritage, we welcome international productions as a strategic driver of promotion and economic development across the region.”
For information regarding the next call of the Veneto Film Fund visit venetofilmcommission.com.
This article is sponsored by The Veneto Film Commission.
