Italian film producer Andrea Iervolino is set to create a new film studio complex in Tuscany. The $55 million Tuscany Film Studios will be located outside Florence and is scheduled to begin operations in fall 2024. This new venture aims to establish an avant-garde film hub in one of the most beautiful places in the world, attracting actors and filmmakers alike.
Iervolino shared his idea with Hollywood Reporter, saying, “To create an avant-garde film hub in a place that is, in itself, one of the most beautiful in the world, where stars would gladly come to shoot… I was in Rome the other day, dining with James Franco. I told him about the project, which is already in the operational phase, and he said, ‘I would come to shoot there tomorrow!’”
The film industry in Italy has been experiencing a production boom, thanks to the country’s generous 40 percent tax incentive for international shoots and the government’s support for the state-owned Rome studio Cinecittà. Notable films, such as Michael Mann’s forthcoming Ferrari biopic starring Adam Driver and Penelope Cruz, have been shot in Italy. Filmmakers like Joe Wright and Roland Emmerich have also utilized Italian locations for their projects.
Independent producers see the growing demand as an opportunity to expand Italy’s production capacity. Tarak Ben Ammar, owner of Eagle Pictures, recently announced plans to construct his own studio outside Rome. Iervolino plans to build a backlot with traditional sound stages, as well as ones equipped for virtual reality. The studio complex will be the largest VR studio in Italy, allowing for the production of content for new VR headsets, including Apple’s Vision Pro.
Related Post
Iervolino emphasized the significance of live action 360-degree cinema and the role his studios will play in its future. The complex will have a substantial library of backgrounds and scenery from around the world, eliminating the need for filmmakers to travel to distant locations. Additionally, the studio complex will feature a public movie theater, production offices, and a luxury resort-style hotel. The hotel will accommodate actors and crew members visiting the studios and will also be open to private customers. Iervolino plans to connect quality tourism with film production by organizing visits to surrounding areas, such as wine estates.
With support from billionaire heiress Monika Bacardi, Iervolino has established several media companies, including AMBI Media Group, Iervolino & Lady Bacardi Entertainment, TaTaTu, and Space 11. Space 11 is partnering with experts from Elon Musk’s SpaceX to produce projects to be filmed in outer space. In addition to Mann’s Ferrari biopic, Iervolino has produced Lamborghini: The Man Behind the Legend and is currently developing Maserati: A Racing Life. He recently acquired a stake in Miami FC, a professional soccer team based in the United States.
Overall, Iervolino’s new film studio complex in Tuscany aims to contribute to Italy’s flourishing film industry and provide a unique and innovative space for filmmakers. By combining state-of-the-art technology with the unparalleled beauty of the region, the Tuscany Film Studios will offer an exceptional filmmaking experience that attracts both local and international talent.
