Russia and Italy have joined forces to take the two countries’ cinema production and education to a new level. They have agreed to open a Russian-Italian Cinema Academy in a bid to boost cooperation in filmmaking.

The agreement to launch the project was signed on November 11 during the 7th Rome International Film Festival. The Academy will promote cooperation in movie production and promote cinema education. The project will be run by the Italian and Russia Culture Ministries and cinema institutions of the two countries.

Plans were first mentioned a year ago during the Russia-Italy cross-culture year. According to Marco Muller, the former head of the Venice Film Festival and the current head of the Rome Film Festival, the idea was born long ago, however the Russians were the first to bring it up.

“We have been carrying this idea for a long while however the Russians have taken the lead again.” Muller said. “They came up with the initiative and we gladly supported it.”

Muller says joint work is already under way.

The new venture’s activity will focus on preserving and exchanging the cinematic heritage of the two countries, offering new educational projects and helping both young and experienced cinema professionals to work on joint projects. The Academy will also promote Russian cinema in Italy and Italian movies in Russia.

The two plan to cooperate on restoring old films and arrange their screenings. The Russian founders of the Academy include The Federal Fund for Social and Economic

Support to National Cinematography (the Russian Cinema Fund), the country’s major cinema school – the Russian State University of Cinematography (VGIK), Mosfilm Studios and the Russian Association of Film and TV- Producers.

From the Italian side the project is supervised by the Italian Culture Ministry and will engage ANICA Producers’ Film Association, Cinecitta Luce Company, and The Italian Experimental Cinema Center in joint work.

Another similar project was launched between Russia and France during the Film Festival in Honfleur last year.

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