In early 2000, the region already had a small but vibrant film scene shaped by institutions such as RAI Sender Bozen and, especially, students and graduates of the ZeLIG Filmschool, which had been training filmmakers from across Europe since the late 1980s.
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So in 2004, more than twenty filmmakers came together as FAS founding members, united by a common vision. From the very beginning, one of the main goals was the establishment of a local Film Commission.
After many years of advocacy, talks, and exchanges with other regions, this goal was achieved with the founding of the BLS Film Fund in 2010 — today known as IDM Film & Music Commission — marking a major milestone and giving a significant boost to the local film sector.
While the creation of the local film fund brought many positive developments for our film community, its implementation, legal framework, and access criteria introduced new challenges.
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For more than a decade, FAS members have worked closely with funding institutions to address these issues, advocating for fairer, more transparent, and more supportive structures for all film professionals in South Tyrol. As productions grew, so did our community—and with it, the need for shared goals to move forward together.
While we have achieved many of our original goals together over the past twenty years, the work never stops. Changing political landscapes, widespread budget cuts in the cultural and media sectors in Italy and abroad, and ongoing economic shifts continue to pose new threats and challenges — both for us and for our international partners.
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In response, we continue to work closely with stakeholders and local funding institutions to address these pressing issues and advocate for fairer, more supportive structures for film professionals.
Specific initiatives, such as the Film Frauen Roundtable, tackle gender equality in film and promote better working conditions for professionals who are also caregivers, helping to create a more inclusive and sustainable industry.
