MIA 2026 closes 12th edition with record attendance and award announcements

The twelfth edition of MIA | Mercato Internazionale Audiovisivo, promoted by ANICA (National Association of Film, Audiovisual and Digital Industries), chaired by Alessandro Usai, and APA (Audiovisual Producers Association), chaired by Chiara Sbarigia, and directed by Gaia Tridente, ended today.

MIA reaffirmed its role as a key reference point for the international audiovisual industry, as attendance exceeded 2,800 professionals, with broad and diverse geographical representation confirming the market’s international reach. 64 countries were represented including: Albania, Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Cyprus, South Korea, Croatia, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Japan, Jordan, Greece, India, Ireland, Iceland, Israel, Italy, Kenya, Kosovo, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, Nepal, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, the Netherlands, Panama, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, the United Kingdom, the Czech Republic, Romania, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, the United States, South Africa, Sudan, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Türkiye, Ukraine, Hungary. 

630 projects (up 26% on 2025) from 83 countries responded to the market’s call for submissions, and 104 projects from 43 countries were selected to take part in MIA’s various industry programmes (the Co-Production & Gap Financing Market and Work-In-Progress sessions), reflecting the broad and diverse geographical reach of contemporary audiovisual production. Alongside these was an extensive programme of events, featuring over 40 conferences, talks and meetings held across 7 official venues of MIA, which transformed the historic Via Veneto and Piazza Barberini into a district dedicated to the international film and audiovisual industry. There were 85 international speakers, with women accounting for over 40%.

MIA’s social media presence is growing, with follower numbers over the past year rising by 9.9% on Instagram and 6.02% on LinkedIn. The event’s website also recorded growth, with an increase of 365,000 new users with an international profile. 

There was also strong interest from international and local media, with over 160 accredited outlets from 15 countries (EMEA, Middle East, USA, LATAM, Asia).

Alessandro Usai, President of ANICA said: “With this year’s edition, MIA has undergone a twofold transformation: on the one hand, and most importantly in terms of content, by seeking to engage ever more closely with the debate concerning our audiovisual and film sector, with a particular focus on the relationship between our industry and finance; on the other, in terms of format, by taking over for a few days one of Italy’s iconic locations in the global cinematic imagination: Via Veneto. We believe this edition has once again highlighted how MIA can serve as a reference point for discussion, analysis and networking, supporting our industry’s business and its dialogue with the world”.

Chiara Sbarigia, President of APA stated: “For its 12th edition, MIA has renewed its format to tell the story of the audiovisual world: a world of creativity, businesses and international partnerships. A world facing new challenges and profound changes. As producers, we claim this narrative as our own: we are businesses that produce “Originals”, with large audiences awaiting their release on television and streaming platforms. And MIA is where we present ourselves to the world”.

Gaia Tridente, Director of MIA added: “We close this edition of MIA knowing that we have taken an important step in the market’s evolution. In an audiovisual industry undergoing profound transformations that are redefining the models for content development, production, financing and distribution, we wanted to deliver a stronger, more ambitious and renewed edition, capable not only of keeping pace with these changes, but also of helping to interpret their dynamics and open up new perspectives. Above all, these days have shown us the strength of an international community embracing this evolution with curiosity, engagement and confidence. We have opened up new spaces for discussion, brought different professional worlds into dialogue and created encounters that can turn into concrete opportunities. For me, this is the responsibility of a market these days: to go beyond connecting supply and demand and help create the conditions for the future of our industry”. 

The 12th edition of MIA is held with the support of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and ICE – Italian Trade Agency for the promotion abroad and internationalisation of Italian companies. It also receives funding from Creative Europe MEDIA and the Italian Ministry of Culture, as well as support from the Roma Lazio Film Commission Foundation of the Lazio Region. For this edition, the event benefits from the collaboration of the Department for Major Events, Sport, Tourism and Fashion of Roma Capitale, and from the patronage of Eurimages, the Council of Europe fund for the co-production, distribution, exhibition and digitalisation of European cinema works.

THE MIA AWARDS

On 22 October, the MIA Development Awards were also presented to projects selected in the 4 categories of the MIA Co-Production Market. The MIA Development Awards were decided by international juries of industry experts. The 5 cash prizes, worth a total of €25,000.00, will support the development of the winning work in each category. 

The MIA Development Award for Outstanding Animation Series Project went to: Sophie, If You Are There Give Us a Sign! (Italy-Belgium-Spain), directed by Dario Piana, a co-production by Brand-Cross, 20 Pictures to Midnight and Digitoonz Entertainment. The jury comprised of Cecilia Persson, Managing Director, BBC Studios Kids & Family (United Kingdom); Nele De Wilde, CCO Audiovisual & Music, Peyo Company (Belgium); and Tristan Moreau, Editorial Advisor at RTBF (Belgium). They stated “Sophie will engage and inspire today’s children with a bold and original visual language of animation. The jury felt that the idea of two interconnected worlds offers multiple storytelling possibilities'.

The MIA Development Award for Outstanding Documentary Project went to Loving Ika, directed by Emilio Di Stefano and Fabian Sigurd, produced by Daniéla Frykstrand, Gunilla Film AB (Sweden). A special mention went to Bleaching Nemo, directed by Jason Brooks and produced by Pierangelo Pirak for Pomona Pictures (Italy, United Kingdom, United States). The jury was made of Laurent Filliung, Commissioning Editor, ARTE G.E.I.E. (France); Caroline Haidacher, Commissioning Editor, ORF (Austria); and Hiroshi Yokota, Director and Producer, NHK ENTERPRISES (Japan). They awarded the prize and special mention saying: 'We award the prize to Loving Ika for addressing a highly topical and urgent subject: an encounter with artificial intelligence intertwined with deeply human and personal issues, at a time when technology is increasingly entwined with our most intimate emotional vulnerabilities. We also wish to recognise the filmmakers’ commitment to building an authentic relationship with their subjects and earning their trust. It takes great courage to tackle one of the most controversial issues of our time. We award a special mention to Bleaching Nemo for drawing on the universal familiarity of the character Nemo to convey an urgent message about the climate crisis. Through original storytelling and its potential to reach international markets, the film brings ecological issues of fundamental importance to a wide audience'. 

The MIA Development Award for Outstanding Drama Project went to: Day Traitors, produced by Deborah Bayer Marlow and Michael Bille Frandsen (Nordisk Film Production) and written by Molly Stensgaard, Bo Hr. Hansen and Milad Alami (Denmark). The jury comprised of Ludovica Fonda, Head of International Drama, Mediaset (Italy); Arvand Khosravi, Senior Vice President and Head of Scripted Television Strategy, Fifth Season (USA); Agnès Olier, Head of Drama, Arte (France). They commented: “We were impressed by the outstanding quality of the pitch, which made us want to explore the project further. Ultimately, however, it was the characters that won us over, each crafted with great skill and conveying to the reader the full complexity and contradictions of our shared humanity. Of course, today’s television landscape is hardly short of espionage stories. Yet the Day Traitors team has approached the genre with great sophistication, never losing sight of the beating heart of the narrative, even when the pace and tension reach extraordinary heights over the course of its six gripping episodes. The series is also deeply relevant, particularly at this moment in European history, when immigration and integration are at the centre of heated debate. What we especially appreciated in this regard was its ability never to lapse into ideology. Each character, with all their imperfections, embodies a particular truth, keeping us emotionally invested in the story at every turn. We congratulate the entire Day Traitors team and look forward to seeing the series on our screens”.

The MIA Development Award for Outstanding Animated Film Project went to: All the softness in the World (France) by Ayce Kartal and produced by Les Valseurs. The jury, an international panel comprising Sejin Croninger, EVP of Worldwide Acquisitions, Paramount (USA); Elodie Mellado de la Cruz, Senior Content Editor & Programmer, Filmin (Spain); and Hiroto Ogi, Founder & Producer, Barravento (Japan), awarded the prize with the following citation: “The project sensitively explores identity, resilience and the courage needed to break free from inherited destinies. Its evocative animation, bringing rich textures and a tactile sense of softness to life, becomes an integral part of the storytelling, creating perfect harmony between form and content. A deeply original work in which art and beauty become powerful tools for self-discovery and self-affirmation”. The MIA Development Award for Outstanding Live Action Film Project went to: The Lost Sons of Nada (Finland, UK) by Kyran Davies and Scott Quinn and produced by Poolboy and Falcon Nest Film. The jury awarded the prize saying 'With its distinctive combination of surreal comedy, Nordic folklore and biting satire, the project stands out for its originality, irreverent spirit and bold humour. Through an unconventional coming-of-age story, it uses irony to challenge established beliefs and power structures. Supported by an exceptionally strong pitch, the project demonstrates considerable potential to engage international audiences'. 

Sponsor Awards 

The awards ceremony also saw prizes presented by prestigious national and international sponsors, including the GEDI Visual Award, presented to one of the titles selected for the Italians Doc It Better showcase. The award went to: The Decoy Artist – The Incredible Story of Mario Moselli and Saddam Hussein’s Phantom Army by Gigi Roccati and produced by Verdiana. The jury comprising of Paolo De Michele, Deputy Director of Gedi Visual; Francesco Fasiolo, Editor-in-Chief of Gedi Visual; and Cristiana Felli, Head of Video at Gedi Digital, and awarded the prize enthusing “The Gedi Visual Award has always been committed to supporting the development of projects that tell seemingly marginal stories, yet can offer alternative and original perspectives on reality. In this case, we wish to recognise the decision to tell the story of the extraordinary intersection between the personal history of one man, an “ordinary man”, and the most dramatic events of late twentieth-century history”. 

The Screen International Award, dedicated to one of the feature films selected for C EU Soon, MIA’s Work in Progress section, was awarded to Off Season (Temporada Baixa) by Marta Font and produced by Mireia Graell Vivancos (Ringo Media, Spain). The international jury comprised: Johan Blomqvist, Head of International Programme, Göteborg Film Festival (Sweden); Beatrice Gulino, Head of Acquisitions and Sales, Teodora Film (Italy); and Amanda Trokan, SVP Acquisitions, 1-2 Special (USA), saying 'The jury was impressed by this sensitive portrait of a family facing an uncertain future. The film stands out for the authenticity of its relationships, its profound sense of belonging and the warmth with which it approaches reconciliation, all seen through the assured vision of a new cinematic voice'.

This year, Mnemonica partnered with MIA for the first time, establishing the Mnemonica Award, a new prize dedicated to the C EU Soon programme. The award went to Diatribe by Shaun O’Connor, produced by Maureen O’Connell (3 Hot Whiskey Productions, Ireland).'Choosing a winner from so many compelling stories was not easy, but Diatribe stood out for its ability to show how online radicalisation can intrude into family life and undermine its balance. Mnemonica is proud to support the distribution of this film, which tackles a highly topical issue, through its dedicated screening and delivery system: innovative tools to accompany an equally innovative project'.

The Sony Pictures Television Award, a cash prize worth €15,000.00 dedicated to projects selected for the Drama Co-Production Market, went to: The Inheritance, produced by Kato Maes, Kristoffel Mertens and Karlijn Van de Cruys (Panenka) and written by Alexandra Jans and Jan Van Dyck (Belgium). The jury comprising of Andrew Plotkin, Executive Vice President and Head of Drama Development, Sony Pictures Television (USA), decided to honour the project saying “The Inheritance makes a lasting impression through its complex, charismatic female protagonist in a traditionally male-dominated setting. The idea of emotionally driven characters inhabiting an original world, combined with the universally relatable theme of family inheritance, gives the series an authentic and distinctive resonance that sets it apart in the television landscape”. 

The Women in Film, Television & Media Italia-WIFTMI Award for the project with the greatest potential to address the elimination of gender inequality and promote inclusion was won by: Animal Instinct (Italy), the debut feature by Vittoria Rizzardi Peñalosa, produced by Cinefonie. The jury comprised of Francesca Noia - van der Staay, Producer and CEO of Black Light Film; Florencia Santucho, Green Manager and FINCA/FICDH Film Festival Director; Leonardo Valenti, Head Writer and Screenwriter; and Elena Urbani, Film Distribution Consultant, and decided to honour the project saying: 'The jury awards the WIFTMI Prize to Animal Instinct for the quality of its writing and the strength of a personal vision that portrays complex female characters shaped by desires, vulnerabilities and contradictions. Through the relationship between mother and daughter, the project brings different generations and different ways of confronting the wounds of abandonment into dialogue. The protagonist’s journey towards recognising her own worth, independently of her father’s validation, goes hand in hand with taking responsibility for her choices. This portrayal grants women full subjectivity, in keeping with WIFTMI’s commitment to a more nuanced cultural imagination capable of challenging stereotypes. With this prize, the jury wishes to support the voice of a filmmaker making her debut feature'.

 

LC