Netflix celebrates today ten years of work in Italy in Rome with co-CEO Ted Sarandos in the city to announce a new project with the national film school Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia (CSC). This will allow the couple to renovate and reopen the Roman restaurant. Cinema Europe theater.
The announcement, which Netflix calls “symbolic,” was made this morning at the Italian Ministry of Culture during a busy month in Rome, where the MIA Market event is currently taking place near Netflix's swanky local headquarters, as well as the Rome Film Festival, which runs from October 15 to 26.
The Cinema Europa theater, famous for hosting the first public screening of a film by Filoteo Alberini in Italy. Capture of Rome – was closed during the Covid-19 pandemic but will be renovated and converted into a space for film culture, education and research. Netflix will cover the costs and use them for its own non-profit initiatives and special events.
CSC will manage the theater and oversee its programming, and its goal is to “create a space that will be the starting point for the theater’s cultural and educational activities.” [the CSC]National Film Archive of Russia and for projects of students of the National Film School – new talents of the future.”
This move comes as Netflix turns 10 years old in Italy, during which time it has launched shows such as Subura, super sex And Leopard. Sarandos said today that Netflix claims to have worked on “more than 1,000” Italian films and TV shows and filmed in more than 100 cities since 2015.
Addressing various industry and political figures today, Sarandos said: “Coming to Italy is always a pleasure, but this visit is especially significant because this year marks the tenth anniversary of Netflix in Italy. In just ten years, we have embarked on an incredible adventure.”
The Netflix chief said the strategy was to “showcase all aspects of Italy – the unrivaled cultural heritage, vibrant landscapes, mouth-watering food and of course the warmth and passion of the Italian people.”
He outlined several “tangible” impacts the global streamer has had over those ten years, notably that Netflix “supported more than 5,500 jobs in the Italian audiovisual sector” and that between 2021 and 2024 it “contributed more than €1.1 billion to the Italian economy.”
He said the Cinema Europa initiative is “more than just a restoration project.” Instead, it was “a collaboration with one of the most prestigious film schools in the world and custodians of the Italian cinematic heritage.”
“Cinema Europa is woven into the creative fabric of Italy – it was built on the site of the first open-air screening of an Italian film exactly 120 years ago,” he added. “Bringing it back to life is about providing a place for the creative community to meet, share ideas and celebrate storytelling.
Sarandos attended the press conference, which opened with a video message from Culture Minister Alessandro Giulia along with presenter Gabriella Buontempo, president of the Foundation for the Experimental Center for Cinematography.
“This agreement between the Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia and Netflix represents a concrete example of virtuous cooperation between the public and private sectors, and between tradition and innovation,” Giuli said in his address. “This agreement contributes to the professional development of young talent and the promotion of Italian film culture throughout the world. Netflix demonstrates a special sensitivity and attention to Italy through the production of films, series and documentaries that tell the story of our nation.”
