Rome MIA Market launches European Investment Hub for producers
Rome MIA Market launches a new European Investment Hub this October, designed to help European industry professionals navigate soft money and equity financing tools. CAA’s Roeg Sutherland and Media Capital Technologies’ Raj Singh are set to attend the Oct. 19-23 audiovisual market in Rome.
Key Takeaways
- MIA’s European Investment Hub unfolds over the market’s first two days with panels, roundtables and one-to-one advisory meetings.
- Partners include the European Commission, European Investment Fund, CineRegio, Eurimages and private equity players.
- CAA’s Roeg Sutherland and Media Capital Technologies’ Raj Singh and Christopher Woodrow are expected to attend.
- Sessions will cover co-production funds, equity capital, completion bonds and Italy’s financing ecosystem.
What is the European Investment Hub and why does it matter?
Rome’s Mercato Internazionale Audiovisivo (MIA), or International Audiovisual Market, is adding a dedicated financing strand for its 12th edition. According to Variety, the hub aims to help European industry professionals navigate soft money and equity financing options currently at their disposal.
The project is conceived in collaboration with the European Commission, the European Investment Fund (EIF), the CineRegio network of regional film funds, pan-European fund Eurimages and leading private equity players. It is designed to stimulate dialogue between producers and the growing range of funding sources, including rising private equity money.
MIA chief Gaia Tridente told Variety the idea is to foster direct contact between producers and representatives from these entities who can provide guidance. For more industry alerts, follow BlasterPost’s Streaming & TV Alerts hub.
Who will attend the new MIA financing strand?
Roeg Sutherland, co-head of CAA’s media finance department and its international film group, is expected in Rome. Media Capital Technologies principals Raj Singh and Christopher Woodrow are also set to attend.
A panel titled “Unlocking Italy’s Potential” will feature Singh, Sutherland and U.S. entertainment lawyer Steve Saltzman, head of the International Entertainment Group at London-based Fieldfisher. In a separate session, Singh will launch a new venture aimed at expanding content creation financing opportunities.
Another panel, “Equity and Growth Capital: Investing in Creativity, IP and Long-Term Value,” will include Woodrow; Celine Dornier, content executive at Finland-U.K. film investment fund IPR.VC; and Alexandra Lebret, a partner in Together Fund, launched with Paris-based Axio Capital.
How will producers access funding tools at MIA?
The hub will explore European co-production funds, equity funds dedicated to content creation, and completion bonds and risk-mitigation mechanisms developed with European and national institutions. Reps from 35 European co-production funds are expected to explain national mechanisms, including how to access specific tax credits or funding.
Tridente said the market will cover funds supporting projects with budgets of €50 million and up, alongside tools for lower budgets more typical of European cinema and television. Spain, for example, will be represented by three different funds.
Alessandro Usai, head of Italy’s motion picture association ANICA, said access to finance has become the industry’s true game-changer, stressing public-private partnerships, guarantee systems and the interplay between national, European and international tools. Chiara Sbarigia, head of Italian TV producers’ association APA, said producers—especially small and medium-sized ones—needed a dedicated audiovisual financing space. APA plans to showcase a proposed public-private fund during the market.
The 12th edition of MIA runs Oct. 19-23 in Rome.