The Italian Institute for Foreign Commerce (ICE) is organising a new Italian-Spanish co-production market to take place in Madrid.

The first Professional Meetings for Italian Media in Spain (May 6-8) aims to promote co-productions and consolidate relationships between companies from the two countries, as well as to boost the profile of Italian films in Spain.

Activities will be divided into two sections: commercial meetings for companies seeking co-production partners; and a videoteca for screening recent Italian films.

More than 30 key Italian companies have confirmed participation with new projects seeking financing and/or completed films for screening. Spanish producers, distributors, broadcasters, associations and specialised press will be invited.

The market mirrors similar events in other EU countries financed by Italy's Ministero delle Attivita Produttive under the banner "Filmare." Collaborating Italian associations include APT, DOC/IT, Cartoon Italia and UNEFA.