A conversation between representatives of the Italian and U.S. film industries explored opportunities for collaboration in co-production, technical services, and investment attraction, highlighting Italy’s role as a strategic partner for international productions. The panel “Focus on Italy: A Strategic Hub for International Productions” took place yesterday at the Fairmont Century Plaza, as part of the Italian mission to the American Film Market 2025, organized by the Italian Trade Agency (ITA) in collaboration with the Directorate General for Cinema and Audiovisual of the Ministry of Culture (DGCA–MiC) and Cinecittà.
Moderated by Roberto Stabile, Head of International Relations at Cinecittà and Special Projects Advisor for DGCA, the discussion featured Francesca Rotondo (Cinecittà), Jacopo Chessa (President, Italian Film Commissions), and Riccardo Neri (APE – Association of Italian Production Service Companies), with remarks by Giosafat Riganò, Director of the ITA Los Angeles Office.
At the close of the session, Consul General of Italy in Los Angeles Raffaella Valentini presented Gary Lucchesi with the honor of Knight of the Order of the Star of Italy, an award bestowed by the President of the Italian Republic upon proposal of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI).
The honor recognizes Lucchesi’s exceptional contribution to strengthening the ties between the Italian and U.S. film industries — the result of his decades-long career and his role as a bridge between the two countries. An internationally renowned film and television producer, Gary Lucchesi was born in San Francisco to parents of Tuscan origin and resides in Los Angeles. A graduate of the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), he began his career at the William Morris Agency as a talent agent, discovering and representing artists such as Kevin Costner, Michelle Pfeiffer, and John Malkovich.
In the 1980s, he held senior positions at Tri-Star Pictures and Paramount Pictures, where he oversaw iconic films including The Untouchables, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Ghost, and The Godfather Part III. From 1998 to 2019, he served as President of Lakeshore Entertainment, where he produced more than sixty films, including the Academy Award winner Million Dollar Baby, and established a long- standing collaboration with RAI Cinema and its president Giancarlo Leone.
Today, Lucchesi serves as Chair of the International Committee of the Producers Guild of America, continuing to promote cooperation between Italian and American film professionals.
In recent years, he has coordinated the Guild’s participation in the Audio-Visual Summits held in Matera (2021), Trieste (2023), Reggio Calabria (2024), and Merano (2025). These initiatives—organized with Cinecittà, DGCA–MiC, APA – Associazione Produttori Audiovisivi, MAECI, and ITA—have created a permanent platform for dialogue between Hollywood and the Italian audiovisual industry on key topics such as co-productions, tax incentives, training, and emerging technologies.
The 46th edition of the American Film Market takes place in Los Angeles from November 11 to 16, 2025. The Italian participation brings together 14 organizations active in film production, distribution, and location promotion. Among distributors: Filmexport Group, LSPG Popcorn, Minerva Pictures, and PiperPlay; among producers: Animoka Studios, Augustus Color, Fargo Film, K+, Mestiere Cinema, Viola Film, and Zena Film. Completing the delegation are APE – Association of Italian Production Service Companies, IFC – Italian Film Commissions, and Cinecittà.
