Cinecittà on Track to Build the Biggest One-Stop-Shop in Europe

The iconic Cinecittà studios in Rome, once bustling with productions like William Wyler’s “Ben-Hur” and the creative haven of Federico Fellini, are undergoing renovations, aided by a loan from the European Union’s post-pandemic recovery fund.

Cinecittà aims to expand its status as “Hollywood on the Tiber” by growing into the biggest film studio in Europe. This ambition positions it to rival well-known European studios like Studio Babelsberg in Germany, Origo Studios in Hungary, and Nu Boyana in Bulgaria.

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Cinecittà aspires to grow into Europe’s largest film studio, aiming to compete with renowned facilities such as Studio Babelsberg (Germany), Origo Studios (Hungary), and Nu Boyana (Bulgaria).

Here are some notable achievements at Cinecittà lately, offering a glimpse into significant stages of its transition into a modern hub for filmmaking and an attractive destination for Hollywood productions once more.

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Recent milestones from Cinecittà showcase key transformational phases in the studio’s journey to becoming a leading city for cinema production and a draw for Hollywood projects again.

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Cinecittà has achieved several significant landmarks recently, giving us an overview of important steps in its transformation into a top-tier filmmaking center that is once more attracting Hollywood productions.

2021

Ursula von der Leyen, European Commission president, and former Italian prime minister Mario Draghi made a joint tour of the Cinecittà film lot and held a news conference in Studio 5, where many of Fellini’s films were shot. They announced a €300 million ($340 million) investment to address the rising need for studio space internationally. This plan spans over six years and includes constructing new soundstages and renovating and expanding existing ones. The revitalization of these extensive studios also involves building full-service facilities, including digital editing suites, sound mixing rooms, and both 35mm and 16mm film processing labs. This is aimed at attracting major production companies, broadcasters, or streaming platforms to Cinecittà by offering them long-term service deals.

2022

Cinecitta reveals a massive LED volume stage, one of the biggest globally, equipped with a semi-circular screen spanning 412 square meters (or approximately 4,434 square feet). This state-of-the-art facility, Theatre 18, was officially launched with Angelina Jolie’s directorial debut “Without Blood,” featuring Salma Hayek. Subsequent productions to utilize this groundbreaking stage include Luca Guadagnino’s “Queer,” the TV series “M” directed by Joe Wright, and the American sci-fi thriller “White Mars.

Over the next two years, I’m proud to continue my strategic partnership with Fremantle, as our five-year agreement for the rental of six soundstages at Cinecittù remains active. Additionally, we maintain a comparable deal with Endemol Shine Italy, further solidifying our commitment to providing top-tier production facilities.

2023

Cinecittà Studios, with its modern sound stages nearing completion, has filled up completely due to the influx of popular Hollywood series like “The Decameron” on Netflix, Roland Emmerich’s gladiator series “Those About to Die,” and Joe Wright’s Mussolini-themed production titled “M.” Additionally, significant films such as Edward Berger’s “Conclave” and Luca Guadagnino’s “Queer” are also being filmed there. The studio has undergone renovations in several areas, with some spaces being restructured while others are entirely new constructions.

2024

In June, Maccanico concludes his three-year term, choosing to step down at this time. His decision to resign coincides with a period of reduced activity at the Rome studios, attributed to the effects of the ongoing Hollywood writers’ and actors’ strikes, as well as concerns that the Italian government might adjust its tax incentives for international film productions. However, these fears prove to be unfounded.

In July, Manuela Cacciamani, a longtime associate of Cinecittà, was named as CEO, making her the first female leader in the studios’ over 80-year existence.

2025

In March, it was announced that the majority of filming for Mel Gibson’s “The Resurrection of Christ” will take place at Cinecittà Studios, with Ridley Scott’s “The Dog Stars” also setting up production there. Disney and Universal are set to begin large-scale productions soon as well. Cacciamani is progressing according to plan in her six-year overhaul of the studio, aiming for Cinecittà to achieve a turnover of €30 million – €35 million ($34 million – $39 million) and a 15% profit margin by the year 2026.

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2025-05-10 22:30