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REEL - A cinematic journey through Italy and Croatia presented at Art-kino
With the REEL project, the Kvarner Film Commission wants to exploit the tourism potential of films and series filmed in the Rijeka and Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, strengthen existing production capacities for future filming in this area, and promote the filmmaking of young local authors
The project REEL – A cinematic journey through Italy and Croatia is a new project that the Kvarner Film Commission, a regional film office established within the public institution Art-kino, is implementing with partners from Italy and Croatia through the Interreg Italy – Croatia 2021 – 2027 cross-border cooperation programme. The project was presented by the Mayor of Rijeka Marko Filipović and the director of Art-kino Slobodanka Mišković, on the occasion of the 16th anniversary of Art-kino and the birthday programme Kvarner u kratkom, which has been promoting the work of young local authors for five years.
The REEL project, whose initial phase began in March this year and whose total duration is planned until August 2026, is focused on developing film tourism and production conditions, with an emphasis on cross-border cooperation through the joint production of short films by young directors shot in the project areas.
The aim of this project, as well as the aim of the Kvarner u kratkom programme, is to strengthen local film capacities and promote the Rijeka and the Primorje-Gorski Kotar County as an attractive area for film activity, whether it is domestic or foreign filming, said director of Art-kina Slobodanka Mišković.
The project coordinator is the Apuglia Film Commission Foundation, and in addition to the Kvarner Film Commission, the partners are the Istrian Cultural Agency (Istria Film Commission), the Public institution Dubrovnik Cinemas, the City of Venice, and the Municipality of Rimini, while the associate partners are the Croatian Audiovisual Centre and the City of Pazin.
In addition to numerous programme activities, the REEL project aims to utilize the tourism potential of films and series filmed in Rijeka and Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, strengthen existing production capacities for future filming in this area, and promote the filmmaking of young local authors.
The REEL project truly brings together the best that the film industry has to offer, and in this context, Rijeka and the Primorje-Gorski Kotar County stand out as ideal locations for filming. We are witnessing numerous productions that decide to film here, which has a great impact on the local economy, said Mayor Filipović, highlighting the example of Oscar-winning Gabriele Salvatores, who filmed his new film Napoli – New York in Rijeka and on the ship Galeb, and whose premiere in Rijeka is expected at the beginning of next year, which is just one of the examples that promise a great 2025 for Rijeka in terms of film, on both the big and small screens.
The Kvarner Film Commission, as announced by Director Mišković, will design an itinerary for a film tourist route in Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, to introduce innovations into existing tourist experiences in this area. Through the development of alternative film-themed tours, i.e. marking locations where prominent and well-known audiovisual works, primarily films and series, were filmed, the aim is to provide additional content to the cultural tourism offer, promote local filmmaking, and attract film tourism enthusiasts. Upon project completion, the film itineraries will be available to all interested tourism stakeholders for use as part of their activities.
The local production of audiovisual works will be encouraged within the project through a specific international call announced for early 2025, aimed at young local authors, to shoot short films – under the theme of the Adriatic Odyssey – in the areas of the project partners, including Primorje-Gorski Kotar County. All selected short films will be financed by the project, and the authors of the films will be mentored during the pre-production and production of their works. After the films are completed, distribution activities will be carried out, such as participation in film festivals, in order to present the films on international markets, promoting the cultural heritage and attractions of the participating regions. Finally, the films will be screened and the authors will be presented in Art-kino as part of the existing Kvarner u kratkom programme, Mrs Mišković points out.
The plan is to redesign and improve the existing website of the Kvarner Film Commission, as well as unify the base of local film professionals. To simplify the process of issuing film permits and optimize the logistics of filming in our region, Kvarner Film Commission shall organise the education of representatives of local self-government units about the benefits that filmmaking brings to the local economy and community. In addition, the plan is to prepare a concise guide with all the necessary information and a film permit documentation proposal that will help public bodies provide faster and more efficient support to the audiovisual industry.
In order to improve the competitiveness and quality of the cultural and creative industry with special emphasis on the audiovisual sector in Croatia and Italy, several cross-border training activities for young film professionals will be held as part of the REEL project with the aim of improving the skills and knowledge of younger generations in the industry.
The project is financed by the Interreg Italy-Croatia Programme, specifically under Standard call, Specific objective 4.1: Enhancing the role of culture and sustainable tourism in economic development, social inclusion and social innovation.
The total project budget is EUR 2,039,217.00, while EUR 237,860.00 is intended for the implementation of the activities of Art-kino, out of which EUR 190,288.00 is covered by European funds, and the remaining 20% (EUR 47,572.00) is provided by Art-kino with the support of the City of Rijeka, Primorje-Gorski Kotar County and from its own funds.
The Kvarner Film Commission is a regional film office established in 2016 within the public institution Art-kino with the support of the City of Rijeka, Primorje-Gorski Kotar County and the Croatian Audiovisual Centre. The vision of the Kvarner Film Commission is to make Rijeka and Primorje-Gorski Kotar County attractive and recognizable film destinations while providing professional support to domestic and foreign audiovisual production.
