Italian Film Industry Faces Oversupply Crisis: 462 Films Released in 2025, Screens Stagnant
During the Giornate professionali di Riccione, Luigi Lonigro, the director of 01 Distribution, pointed out the imbalance in Italy between the number of films and audience demand, as well as available screens. In 2025, there were 462 Italian film releases, a significant increase from 251 in 2022, yet the number of screens has only risen by 7% since 2011, reaching 3,500. This situation results in a swift turnover of films, with 75% of box office earnings coming from just five leading titles. Documentaries, which comprised 47% of the 2025 releases, generated the least revenue. Massimiliano Orfei from Piperfilm advocated for fewer theatrical releases, while Laura Mirabella from Vision Distribution stressed the need to support smaller comedies. Although no agreements were reached, Lonigro suggested changes to film legislation to restrict public funding for specific productions.
Key facts
- 462 Italian films were distributed theatrically in 2025, up from 251 in 2022.
- The number of screens in Italy increased by only 7% from 2011 to 2023, totaling 3,500.
- 75% of box office revenue in 2025 came from the top 5 films.
- Documentaries make up 47% of the 462 Italian films released in 2025.
- Mid-budget comedies have lost theatrical audiences to streaming platforms.
- Platforms like Netflix and Prime Video often finance comedies by pre-purchasing them.
- Luigi Lonigro of 01 Distribution proposed modifying film law to limit public funding for certain productions.
- Massimiliano Orfei of Piperfilm advocates for fewer, more selective theatrical releases.
Entities
Artists
- Diego Abatantuono
- Max Angioni
- Mago Forest
- Checco Zalone
- Virginia Raffaele
- Frank Matano
- Taylor Mega
- Ficarra e Picone
- Aldo, Giovanni e Giacomo
Institutions
- 01 Distribution
- Rai
- Piperfilm
- Vision Distribution
- Sky
- Medusa
- Netflix
- Prime Video
- Gialappa's Band
- Sky Uno
- TV8
Locations
- Italy
- Riccione