Over 80 events including panels, conferences, research presentations, seminars, workshops and training sessions, keynote speeches, and round tables, as well as networking opportunities, alongside Film section screenings.
Five showcases will feature 44 titles spanning Animation, Documentaries, Television Formats, TV series, and Films, adding to the 62 projects in the co-production market for a total of over 100 projects presented at MIA 2025.
These are the numbers of the eleventh edition of MIA | Mercato Internazionale Audiovisivo (Rome, October 6–10), promoted by ANICA (Italian Association of Film, Audiovisual and Digital Industries), chaired by Alessandro Usai, and APA (Italian Audiovisual Producers Association), chaired by Chiara Sbarigia, and directed by Gaia Tridente. The 2025 edition presents a rich and diverse program, with participation from leading professionals and major companies in the international audiovisual sector, along with official delegations from Latin American countries (including Cuba), as well as from Sweden and Canada.
Discover MIA 2025’s full program available here.
Animation Division: Pioneering Industry Dialogue and Showcase
Curated by Carla Vulpiani and Federica Pazzano, the Animation Division brings together leading international professionals to dissect the evolving dynamics of animation production and distribution. Key panels will address urgent industry issues such as the leverage of licensing potential, digital innovation including artificial intelligence, and the decisive role of public broadcasters in European co-productions. For the first time, a children’s content panel focusing on public service broadcasting will convene top European commissioners, fostering cooperation and highlighting tools to boost the circulation of original children’s content across Europe.
The AnyShow showcase will feature 11 select animation projects from countries including France, Italy, Australia, and Canada. Highlights include the magical TV special “The Great Dreamscape” and the poignant feature film “Hope. An Almost Gypsy Fairytale.” The selection reflects a wide spectrum of audiences and formats, emphasizing the global reach and diversity of animated storytelling.
Documentary and Factual Division: Spotlighting Stories and Market Strategies
Under the guidance of Marco Spagnoli and Ben Pace, the Doc Factual Division will spotlight Italian and international documentary excellence. World premieres in the Italians Doc It Better showcase explore themes of identity, social change, and resilience, featuring works such as Agostino Ferrente’s reflective “The Possible Lives” and Marco Amenta’s community-driven “The People’s Theater.”
Discussion panels will address market challenges and opportunities, including theatrical distribution strategies and the global growth of factual programming. Esteemed directors like Thom Zimny, known for his acclaimed music documentaries, will deliver keynote insights, reinforcing MIA’s role as a key industry platform for documentary content.
Drama Division: Shaping Serial Storytelling’s Future
Curated by Paolo Ciccarelli, the Drama Division tackles industry trends, emphasizing inclusion, representation, and international strategy. The debut Nordic Blueprint panel will highlight the success and editorial visions of the four major Northern European broadcasters, who have maintained a commissioning increase against global declines.
The division will also feature GREENLit, a showcase of breakthrough international series ready to reach audiences. Prominent productions include Belgium’s dystopian “The Best Immigrant,” New Zealand’s crime drama “The Ridge,” Finland’s disaster thriller “Seconds 2,” and Italy’s gripping “177 Days,” recounting a historic kidnapping saga.
Film Division: Navigating a Shifting Cinematic Landscape
Led by Francesca Palleschi and Alexia De Vito, the Film Division focuses on the transitional dynamics of Italian and European cinema. Panels will offer candid conversations on Italian cinema’s positioning and funding challenges, the resilience of indie voices, and the complexities of global financing and distribution. The Work in Progress showcase C EU Soon will present seven European films seeking international distribution, covering diverse narratives from identity quests to socio-political turmoil.
Book Adaptation and Innovation Programs
MIA introduces the Book Adaptation Forum (BAF), a new initiative aiming to bridge publishing and audiovisual sectors by spotlighting unpublished novels and fostering global adaptation opportunities. This is complemented by Shoot the Book!, a platform presenting French literary titles ready for audiovisual transformation.
Innovation remains central, with dedicated sessions exploring the impact of artificial intelligence, blockchain, and XR (extended reality) technologies in content creation, distribution, and financing. Expert-led workshops and showcases underscore MIA’s commitment to future-proofing the creative industries.
Awards
MIA will celebrate creative excellence across divisions with its prestigious MIA Development Awards and new Sony Pictures Television Award, supporting outstanding animation, documentary, drama, and film projects. Additional recognitions include the WIFTMI Award promoting gender parity and diversity, and industry accolades like the Paramount New Stories and GEDI Visual Awards.
Cutting-edge networking events, including Breakfast with ACE and the Lazio Pitching Forum, will facilitate high-level professional exchanges, nurturing co-productions and international collaborations.
This multifaceted program affirms MIA’s status as a global nexus for innovation, talent, and collaboration in the audiovisual world, fostering the dialogue and partnerships essential to shaping the future of content.
