Italian Cinema Reform: New Agency Raises Governance Concerns

A proposed reform of Italy's cinema and audiovisual sector, currently awaiting parliamentary approval, centers on the creation of a new Agency for Cinema and Audiovisual. The unified text establishes the agency as the sector's main administrative body but defers key decisions to a subsequent delegation. The agency is set to become operational on January 1, 2028, with spending authorization beginning in 2027. Critics, including author Angelo Argento, argue that the reform prioritizes institutional architecture over industrial policy, creating a hybrid entity that mixes elements of state agencies, autonomous public bodies, and independent authorities without fully adopting any model. The agency's governance includes a five-member council appointed by ministries and a director nominated by presidential decree with parliamentary approval. However, strategic oversight remains with the Ministry of Culture, and the ministry also adopts the three-year programming plan. The reform replaces the tax credit for cinemas with direct non-taxable contributions, a shift that may reduce certainty for businesses. It also allocates €4.5 million annually from 2027, while the agency is established in 2028, raising concerns about the transition period. The article highlights the paradox of increasing governance without increasing autonomy, warning that the reform may change the organizational chart without changing the system.