Italy
MIA Market Wraps 12th Edition & Announces Awards: The 12th edition of MIA | Mercato Internazionale Audiovisivo, promoted by ANICA (National Association of Film, Audiovisual and Digital Industries), chaired by Alessandro Usai, and APA (Audiovisual Producers Association), chaired by Chiara Sbarigia, and directed by Gaia Tridente, came to a close in Rome, 23 October 2026.
MIA reaffirmed its role as a key gathering for the international audiovisual industry, as attendance exceeded 2,800 professionals, with broad and diverse geographical representation confirming the market’s international reach. 64 countries were represented including: Albania, Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Cyprus, South Korea, Croatia, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Japan, Jordan, Greece, India, Ireland, Iceland, Israel, Italy, Kenya, Kosovo, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, Nepal, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, the Netherlands, Panama, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, the United Kingdom, the Czech Republic, Romania, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, the United States, South Africa, Sudan, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Türkiye, Ukraine, Hungary.
Marking a 26% increase year-on year, 630 projects from 83 countries responded to the market’s call for submissions, and 104 projects from 43 countries were selected to take part in MIA’s various industry programs (the Co-Production & Gap Financing Market and Work-In-Progress sessions), reflecting the broad and diverse geographical reach of contemporary audiovisual production. Alongside these was an extensive program of events, featuring over 40 conferences, talks and meetings held across seven official venues of MIA, which transformed the historic Via Veneto and Piazza Barberini into a district dedicated to the international film and audiovisual industry. There were 85 international speakers, with women accounting for over 40%.
MIA’s social media presence is growing, with follower numbers over the past year rising by 9.9% on Instagram and 6.02% on LinkedIn. The event’s website also recorded growth, with an increase of 365,000 new users with an international profile.
There was also strong interest from international and local media, with over 160 accredited outlets from 15 countries (EMEA, Middle East, U.S.A., LatAm, Asia).
“With this year’s edition, MIA has undergone a twofold transformation: on the one hand, and most importantly in terms of content, by seeking to engage ever more closely with the debate concerning our audiovisual and film sector, with a particular focus on the relationship between our industry and finance; on the other, in terms of format, by taking over for a few days one of Italy’s iconic locations in the global cinematic imagination: Via Veneto,” said Usai. “We believe this edition has once again highlighted how MIA can serve as a reference point for discussion, analysis and networking, supporting our industry’s business and its dialogue with the world.”
Sbarigia stated, “For its 12th edition, MIA has renewed its format to tell the story of the audiovisual world: a world of creativity, businesses and international partnerships. A world facing new challenges and profound changes. As producers, we claim this narrative as our own: we are businesses that produce ‘Originals,’ with large audiences awaiting their release on television and streaming platforms. And MIA is where we present ourselves to the world.”
Tridente added, “We close this edition of MIA knowing that we have taken an important step in the market’s evolution. In an audiovisual industry undergoing profound transformations that are redefining the models for content development, production, financing and distribution, we wanted to deliver a stronger, more ambitious and renewed edition, capable not only of keeping pace with these changes, but also of helping to interpret their dynamics and open up new perspectives. Above all, these days have shown us the strength of an international community embracing this evolution with curiosity, engagement and confidence. We have opened up new spaces for discussion, brought different professional worlds into dialogue and created encounters that can turn into concrete opportunities. For me, this is the responsibility of a market these days: to go beyond connecting supply and demand and help create the conditions for the future of our industry.”
On October 22, the MIA Development Awards were presented to projects selected in the four categories of the MIA Co-Production Market. The MIA Development Awards were decided by international juries of industry experts. The five cash prizes, worth a total of €25,000.00, will support the development of the winning work in each category.
The MIA Development Award for Outstanding Animation Series Project went to: Sophie, If You Are There Give Us a Sign! (Italy-Belgium-Spain), directed by Dario Piana, a co-production by Brand-Cross, 20 Pictures to Midnight and Digitoonz Entertainment.
The jury comprised Cecilia Persson, Managing Director, BBC Studios Kids & Family (United Kingdom); Nele De Wilde, CCO Audiovisual & Music, Peyo Company (Belgium); and Tristan Moreau, Editorial Advisor at RTBF (Belgium). They stated: “Sophie will engage and inspire today’s children with a bold and original visual language of animation. The jury felt that the idea of two interconnected worlds offers multiple storytelling possibilities.”
The MIA Development Award for Outstanding Animated Film Project went to All the Softness in the World (France) by Ayce Kartal and produced by Les Valseurs.
The jury, an international panel comprising Sejin Croninger, EVP of Worldwide Acquisitions, Paramount (USA); Elodie Mellado de la Cruz, Senior Content Editor & Programmer, Filmin (Spain); and Hiroto Ogi, Founder & Producer, Barravento (Japan), awarded the prize with the following citation: “The project sensitively explores identity, resilience and the courage needed to break free from inherited destinies. Its evocative animation, bringing rich textures and a tactile sense of softness to life, becomes an integral part of the storytelling, creating perfect harmony between form and content. A deeply original work in which art and beauty become powerful tools for self-discovery and self-affirmation.”
The 12th edition of MIA was held with the support of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and ICE – Italian Trade Agency for the promotion abroad and internationalisation of Italian companies. It also receives funding from Creative Europe MEDIA and the Italian Ministry of Culture, as well as support from the Roma Lazio Film Commission Foundation of the Lazio Region. For this edition, the event benefits from the collaboration of the Department for Major Events, Sport, Tourism and Fashion of Roma Capitale, and from the patronage of Eurimages, the Council of Europe fund for the co-production, distribution, exhibition and digitalization of European cinema works.
