Apa, a 100 million investment fund for audiovisual companies
MIA – the International Audiovisual Market – is set to launch in Rome. It is scheduled to begin in mid-2027, with the aim of strengthening companies in the sector and making them more competitive
One hundred million to help businesses grow whilst preventing them from falling into the hands of foreign groups. The first Italian investment fund for the audiovisual sector, promoted by the APA (the association of audiovisual producers) in partnership with Deloitte, is officially taking shape.
An announcement made on the first day of MIA – the International Audiovisual Market, organised by APA and ANICA, which brings together the leading players in the Italian and international film and television sectors in Rome. “The project has been designed to address the financial fragility of many of our companies, particularly small and medium-sized ones. We want to offer them a tool that will make them more structured, autonomous and competitive on a global level,” commented APA President Chiara Sbarigia. Alessandro Usai, President of ANICA, also emphasised that finance plays a decisive role at this stage: “This year, we wanted to make MIA not only a meeting place for developing new films and series, but also a platform capable of connecting capital, projects and companies.”
According to the plans, the Fund is expected to be operational by mid-2027: it will be financed by public and private capital, and its management will be entrusted to Fondo Italiano d’Investimento Sgr, part of the CDP Group, in collaboration with the Istituto per il Credito Sportivo e Culturale. The Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport (MIMIT) – represented by its Chief of Staff, Federico Eichberg – also gave the project a positive assessment and indicated that it was ready to play its part.
The Fund will acquire stakes in companies: majority stakes, qualified minority stakes and capital increases to finance growth. The plan envisages between eight and fifteen investments, ranging from 2 to 10 million, with priority given to independent producers and a subsequent expansion into related activities within the supply chain.
The fundraising target is around 100 million. Public and institutional investors are expected to pave the way for banks, insurance companies and other long-term investors. The time horizon is seven to ten years: patient capital. There are three approaches: consolidating Italian companies, acquiring stakes in foreign producers and setting up co-productions capable of tackling budgets that are beyond the reach of a single operator.
