A cinematic journey through Italy and Croatia

Programme 2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-A Italy-Croatia

Date of latest update: 2025-04-30

Description

Description (EN):

REEL addresses the common challenge of diversification and delocalization of touristic flows in Italy and Croatia through investing in alternative routes, that is film destinations. Film-induced tourism (exploring locations which have become popular due to their appearance in films and tv series) is one of the fastest growing sectors of the tourism industry and is seen as a new way to market the destinations and attract young people, who are avid consumers of movies and serials. The project aims to introduce a new sustainable tourism offer, testing innovative models to better promote the cultural and natural assets of territories and thus maximizing the synergies between the audiovisual and tourism sectors. REEL will implement a comprehensive program of cross-border initiatives in the audiovisual and tourism field such as the creation of movie tours and apps, the joint production of short movies shot in the project area by young directors, the organization of training modules for youth and the implementation of a common joint methodology to boost tourism through the audiovisual industry. The activities will contribute to setting up collaborations at different levels, gathering key actors in realizing new creative productions and investing in the qualification of new human capital. The transnational nature of the audiovisual industry makes it necessary for the partners to collaborate across borders to leverage the potential of the entire Programme area. Thus, the adoption of a cross-border approach, the share of best practices, knowledge, and resources will result in a more efficient, effective and coordinated development of the sector and promotion of movie tourism. In terms of originality, REEL will make use of the audiovisual sector and its ability to generate interest and emotion, for promoting and marketing new tourist destinations. At the same time, technology and digital solutions will provide visitors with interactive and immersive experiences of the cultural and natural heritage sites of the Programme area.

Actual Achievements (EN):

The first six months focused on administrative, management, and communication start-up activities. Start-up administrative activities and Day-to-Day management and coordination LP, with PPs’ input, completed the conditions clearing procedure, reviewing the Work Plan and budget. All PPs familiarized with Programme documents, identified key project staff, and developed internal procedures to support project implementation. Italian partners obtained CUP codes, and LP issued the “Presa d’atto di avvenuto finanziamento.” LP granted JEMS access to all partners, who completed their Partner detail sections. LP organized an online KOM on April 9 and an in-person Kick-Off Meeting in Bari (May 22-23), where all PPs presented on their institutions and pilot actions. LP drafted and coordinated the signing of the Partnership Agreement, with archiving on JEMS. LP prepared key project documents, including the Risk Management, Procurement, Monitoring and Evaluation, and Quality Plans, as well as Steering Committee Rules and a Management Handbook, with final feedback from all PPs. LP attended the LP seminar in Venice (March 26), and all PPs joined JEMS reporting training (June 28). LP and PP5 completed technical assistance tenders, with PP5 finalizing also expert appointments for movie itinerary design. PP2 completed public procurement for FLC as required for IT beneficiaries. PP4 and PP5 held a strategic meeting with city representatives to align project activities with local cultural priorities. A positive communication environment was established among PPs to maintain information flow. Communication activities: LP developed the communication strategy and a monitoring tool for target group involvement; all PPs provided feedback. LP designed the project poster layout, customized for all six partners, and the roll-up; all PPs displayed the poster in visible locations. A standardized description of the REEL project was prepared by LP in Italian, English, and Croatian, and published on each partner’s institutional website. LP set up the project website and Facebook page with regular updates, while PPs posted on their social media about the project. LP attended communication manager training (July 23, 2024) and website administrator training (July 31, 2024). LP joined the Interreg Italy-Slovenia Programme’s coordination meeting (July 26, 2024) to plan the EWRC initiative and complete the registration. WP1 Progress: LP created draft guidelines for PPs on identifying and selecting movie locations, and presented mobile app features at KOM. Worked on drafting a call to select young directors. All PPs started working on creation of movie itineraries and with planning of pilot actions in their own territory, in particular: PP2 coordinated with the EU Policies Department and “Circuito Cinema” Service to define Venice's role and begin planning local pilot activities. PP3 secured location and legal approvals for the Film Room in Pazin, collected and catalogued a movie database of films shot in Istria, and started assembling materials (posters, photos, archival items) for the Film Room. Organized meetings with collaborators for the Film Room, mobile apps, and itineraries. PP4 initiated discussions with web designers for a creative pilot action and started market and area research for film-themed tours. PP5 appointed experts for development of historical and modern movie itineraries as well as to start assemble materials for pilot action in Dubrvnik, PP6 started with planning of the serias of initiatives to be held in period 2. WP2 Progress: PP3 began a research on topics and lectures for an upcoming conference, planned for the third financial period. Collaboration was established with the University of Juraj Dobrila in Pula, where the conference will be hosted in the third period instead of the second.

Project outputs: Movie tours pilot apps to boost cinema as territorial promotional tool(EN)
Methodology for using cinema to promote tourism(EN)
Cross-border training for youth and aspiring professionals of the audiovisual sector(EN)

Thematic information

Cultural heritage and arts Tourism

Priority: (VI-A_I-Hr_4) Culture and tourism for sustainable development

Priority specific objective: RSO4.6. Enhancing the role of culture and sustainable tourism in economic development, social inclusion and social innovation

Priority policy objective (Interreg specific objective): PO4 A more social and inclusive Europe implementing the European Pillar of Social Rights

Type of intervention: 166 Protection, development and promotion of cultural heritage and cultural services

Partners (6)

Lead Partner: Fondazione Apulia Film Commission

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 926879136

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 06631230726 | 93332290720 | email@pec.apuliafilmcommission.it (EN)

Department: N/A

Address: PADIGLIONE 180 FIERA DEL LEVANTE LUNGOMARE STARITA, 70132 Bari , Italy

Department address: PADIGLIONE 180 FIERA DEL LEVANTE LUNGOMARE STARITA, 70132 Bari, Italy

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Other

Website: http://www.apuliafilmcommission.it

Total budget: EUR 571 172.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 571 172.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 100.00%

Contractors:

Name: Orange Public Management Srl
VAT registration or tax identification number: 02336400748

Comune di Rimini

Name: Comune di Rimini

Department: Cultural Sector- Department of Attractive and Dynamic City - Municipal film library and Fellini Museum

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 926893783

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 00304260409 | 00304260409 | dipartimento4@pec.comune.rimini.it (EN)

Address: P.zza Cavour , 47921 Rimini, Italy

Department address: Via Gambalunga , 47921 Rimini, Italy

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Local public authority

Website: http://www.comune.rimini.it

Total budget: EUR 254 500.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 254 500.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 100.00%

Javna ustanova u kulturi Kinematografi Dubrovnik

Name: Javna ustanova u kulturi Kinematografi Dubrovnik

Department: N/A

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 930268801

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 19518715082 | 19518715082 | info@kinematografi.org (EN)

Address: Branitelja Dubrovnika , 20000 Dubrovnik, Croatia

Department address: Branitelja Dubrovnika , 20000 Dubronvik, Croatia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Other

Website: http://www.kinematografi.org

Total budget: EUR 418 243.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 334 594.40

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 83 648.60

Contractors:

Name: Orange Public Management Srl
VAT registration or tax identification number: 02336400748
Name: Ivan Lujo
VAT registration or tax identification number: 25031205569
Name: Hrvoje Ivankovic
VAT registration or tax identification number: 11023632431

Art-kino

Name: Art-kino

Department: N/A

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 933998160

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 12254758142 | 12254758142 | ured@art-kino.hr (EN)

Address: Krešimirova ulica, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia

Department address: Krešimirova ulica, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Other

Website: http://www.art-kino.org

Total budget: EUR 237 860.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 190 288.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 47 572.00

Contractors:

Name: Orange Public Management Srl
VAT registration or tax identification number: 02336400748

IKA-Istarska kulturna agencija - Agenzia culturale Istriana

Name: IKA-Istarska kulturna agencija - Agenzia culturale Istriana

Department: Istria Film Commission

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 919487251

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 56516458170 | 56516458170 | info@ika-aci.hr (EN)

Address: Carrarina , 52100 Pula, Croatia

Department address: Carrarina , 52100 Pula, Croatia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Other

Website: http://www.ika-aci.hr

Total budget: EUR 283 962.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 227 169.60

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 56 792.40

Contractors:

Name: SLOVENSKA KINOTEKA FILM. MUZEJ
VAT registration or tax identification number: SI45044309

Comune di Venezia

Name: Comune di Venezia

Department: European Policies Department

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 996316101

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 00339370272 | 00339370272 | ricerca.finanziamenti@pec.comune.venezia.it (EN)

Address: San Marco, 30124 Venice, Italy

Department address: San Marco, 30124 Venice, Italy

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Local public authority

Website: https://www.comune.venezia.it/

Total budget: EUR 273 480.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 273 480.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 100.00%

Contractors:

Name: CACONERO SNC
VAT registration or tax identification number: 04384720274
Name: Università IUAV di Venezia
VAT registration or tax identification number: 00708670278/80009280274
Name: LUCA SORANZO
VAT registration or tax identification number: 02253250308
Name: Ginko Film S.R.L.
VAT registration or tax identification number: 04498930272
Name: La Cineteca del Friuli ETS
VAT registration or tax identification number: 01446840306 / 91001160307
Name: CACONERO SNC
VAT registration or tax identification number: 04384720274

Partners map

Lead partner

Project partner

Summary

Project name (EN): A cinematic journey through Italy and Croatia

Project acronym: REEL

Project ID: ITHR0200356

Project start date: 2024-03-01

Project end date: 2026-08-31

Project status: ongoing

Relevant linked projects:

Interreg project CIAK (EN) | CIAK "Common Initiatives to AcKnowledge and valorize tourism potential of the Programme area through cinema" is a project funded by Interreg Greece-Italy Programme 2014/2020 under Priority Axis 2, winner of the social media award of INTERACT’s SLAM competition in 2020. Leaded by Apulia Film Commission Foundation, the project aimed to enhance and promote the areas involved (Puglia and Greek regions of Western Greece, Ionian Islands and Epirus) by exploiting the impact of the images and focusing cooperation in the implementation of initiatives related to the audiovisual sector.
REEL will implement synergies with CIAK by building on the achievements and best practices of the previous project. Both share similar objectives in promoting film-induced tourism and leveraging the potential of the audiovisual industry to boost local economies. REEL will draw on the experiences and knowledge gained by CIAK to further develop and refine its own cross-border initiatives, such as the production of short movies (useful for the Adriatic Odyssey activities) and the development of film offices (useful to support PP4 and PP5 in creating and upgrading the film commissions website).
Additionally, REEL will collaborate with CIAK partners and stakeholders to exchange ideas and share resources in order to maximize the impact of the projects in the Programme area. By building on the work already done by CIAK on similar topics, REEL can create a more comprehensive and coordinated approach to promoting movie tourism and cultural heritage in the region. (EN), Interreg project CIRCE (EN) | CIRCE "Common Initiatives to pRomote CinEma across Italy – Albania - Montenegro" is a project funded by Interreg IPA CBC Italy-Albania-Montenegro Programme 2014/2020 under Priority Axis 2, identified as Flagship Project by the Italian Territorial Cohesion Agency. Leaded by Apulia Film Commission Foundation, the project aimed to improve the conditions for the growth of the cultural and creative industries of the audiovisual sector in the areas involved (Puglia, Molise, Albania and Montenegro), to favor the valorization of the cultural heritage.
REEL will implement synergies with CIRCE by building on its objectives of promoting the audiovisual sector and valorizing the cultural heritage. Specifically, REEL make use of CIRCE challenges and best practices identified by Apulia Film Commission to further develop and refine its own cross-border initiatives, such as to the joint production of a web series (useful for the Adriatic Odyssey activities), the training for youth and capacity building activities for institutional stakeholders (useful for the similar activities of REEL under the responsibility of Croatian partners), and the creation of production and location guides for film offices (useful to support PP4 and PP5 in creating and upgrading the film commissions website).
To sum it up, REEL will make use of the networks and relations developed by Apulia Film Commission within CIRCE and will collaborate with partners and stakeholders to exchange ideas, share resources, and maximize the impact of the project. By building on the work done by CIRCE on the same topic, REEL can create a more comprehensive and coordinated approach to promoting movie tourism and cultural heritage in the region. (EN), Interreg project GREEN SCREEN (EN) | GREEN SCREEN "Greening the creative industries: improving policy practices for the European Audiovisual industry" is a project funded by Interreg Europe Programme 2014/2020 leaded by Film London (UK) with the objective to encourage the filming industry to adopt sustainable practices, with a focus on reducing the environmental impact of its activities along the production chain. Through these efforts, their mission was to lead European film and TV production towards a more environmentally friendly way of operating.
Thanks to the existing connections between the partners of the two projects, REEL can implement synergies with GREEN SCREEN by incorporating sustainable practices in the audiovisual and tourism industries in the project area. This can include measures to reduce the environmental impact of film and TV production, such as reducing energy consumption, promoting sustainable transport, and managing waste responsibly especially during the production phase of short movies. By sharing best practices and promoting the adoption of sustainable policies and practices, REEL can contribute to the overall goal of reducing the environmental impact of the audiovisual industry and promoting a more sustainable way of life. (EN), Interreg project DIGITOURISM (EN) | DIGITOURISM is a project funded by Interreg Europe Programme 2014/2020 leaded by Auvergne Rhones-Alpes Tourism (FR) with the objective to promote innovation in tourism through digital realities, virtual reality and augmented reality.
REEL and DIGITOURISM share synergies in terms of using digital solutions to enhance tourism experiences. While REEL focuses on promoting movie tourism by using technology and digital solutions to provide visitors with immersive experiences of cultural and natural heritage sites, DIGITOURISM aims to promote innovation in tourism by using virtual and augmented reality technologies. Both projects aim to leverage digital tools to create engaging and interactive experiences for tourists and promote sustainable tourism development.
Thanks to the existing connections between the partners of the two projects, REEL will take inspiration and make use of the good practices developed by DIGITOURISM in terms of innovative ways to promote tourism, such as creating immersive movie-themed virtual reality experiences. (EN)

Total budget/expenditure: EUR 2 039 217.00

Total EU funding (amount): EUR 1 631 373.60

Total EU funding (co-financing rate): 89.67%

Co-financing sources:

ERDF: Amount, EUR 1 631 373.60. Co-financing rate, 89.67%.
Others: Amount, EUR 219 830.40.

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

(bullets are inserted automatically and may be incorrectly placed)

Infrastructure investments:

I1.1 - Setting-up of a Film Room in Pazin - EUR 25 000.00 - country: Hrvatska (HR), town: Pazin, street: Ul. Narodnog doma, 2, postal_code: 52000, Jadranska Hrvatska (HR03), Istarska županija (HR036)

Deliverables:

n. 5 movie tours pilot apps (one per target area)
n. 6 educational tour to test the cinema itineraries (one per target area)
n. 6 capacity building action for local guides (one per target area)
n. 8 short movies
n. 4 launch events of the short movies in Italy and Croatia
n. 6 creative pilot actions (one per partner)
n. 1 international conference on film tourism in Pula
n. 1 study on movie tourism in Italy and Croatia
n.1 joint methodology for using cinema to promote tourism
n. 1 cross-border youth camp to provide audiovisual education in Dubrovnik (12 participants)
n. 1 cross-border training for location scouting operators in Rijeka (12 participants)
n. 1 educational seminar on film tourism for cities of the Primorje-Gorski Kotar County
n. 1 final results digital booklet
n. 1 final storytelling
video
n. 1 final international conference in Dubrovnik + press conference

Contribution to wider strategies and policies:

EUStrategyAdriaticIonianRegion Sustainable tourism is one of the key pillars of the EUSAIR strategy. The strategy recognizes the importance of tourism as a driver of economic growth and job creation in the region, while emphasizing the need for sustainable tourism development that respects the environment, culture, and local communities.
The REEL project will contribute to the EUSAIR strategy's sustainable tourism (Pillar 4) by promoting movie tourism as a sustainable and valuable alternative tourism offer in the Programme area. The project will tackle several challenges faced in the macro regional area, such as delocalization, de-seasonalization, accessibility and diversification of tourist products. Joint cooperation will boost efforts to diversify tourism in a sustainable way and maximize synergies between tourism and audiovisual sectors.
REEL will raise awareness among policy makers, stakeholders and the public about the opportunities and benefits of movie-induced tourism. The creation of alternative itineraries in the EUSAIR region will help valorizing its rich cultural and natural assets while the dissemination of audio-visual products in which its scenic beauty is featured, will promote the destinations in world markets.
Also, the project's efforts to promote movie-induced tourism as a sustainable tourism offer align with the goals of the flagship project AIR Cultural Routes by contributing to the harmonized distribution of tourism flows through macro-regional territories and supporting the development of innovative diversified tourism products.
By taking a sustainable approach to tourism development, the project will help to ensure that the economic benefits of tourism are balanced with the need to protect the environment, preserve cultural heritage, and promote social inclusion. This will help to support the long-term viability and resilience of the tourism industry in the region, while also promoting sustainable development and enhancing the quality of life for local communities.
EuropeanGreenDeal The REEL project contributes to the European Green Deal.
In the first place, by promoting movie-induced tourism as a sustainable and valuable alternative to traditional tourism, the project will encourage the development of more environmentally friendly tourism practices.
Secondly, the project will encourage the use of eco-friendly and energy-efficient practices in terms of audiovisual productions by reducing the environmental impact of filming essentials such as transport, construction, lighting and catering.
Thirdly, the project focuses on cross-border cooperation and exchange, which can lead to the sharing of best practices and knowledge in the field of sustainable tourism and eco-friendly approaches in the film industry. This can contribute to the development of more sustainable tourism policies and practices across the participating regions and beyond, which will be inserted in the project action plan.
Finally, the project aims to raise awareness among stakeholders and the public about the importance of sustainable tourism and the benefits it can bring to the environment and local communities. By promoting sustainable tourism practices and encouraging more responsible behavior from tourists, the project contributes to the overall goal of the European Green Deal to make Europe climate-neutral by 2050.
Other The European Media and Audiovisual Action Plan is a comprehensive strategy for promoting and supporting the audiovisual sector in Europe.
First, it is important to underline that the project strongly encourages the use of digital technologies, in line with the Media and Audiovisual Action Plan. For example, the project will explore the use of multimedia, apps, platforms and other digital tools to promote the cultural and natural heritage, thus enhancing the visitor experience and making culture more accessible thanks to the support of technology.
Secondly, in line with the European Action Plan, the project will launch a dialogue with the audiovisual industry to agree on concrete steps to improve the access to and availability of audiovisual content across the EU. Also, REEL will foster European media talent through mentoring and training, as well as scouting and supporting promising European audiovisual operators. Thus, REEL contribute to developing skills, talent, and innovation in the audiovisual sector. Additionally, REEL contribute to pass down to future generations cultural and film heritage thanks to the support of technology.
Third, by following eco-friendly approaches, putting a strong focus on environmental sustainability, and by facilitating the exchange of best practices through cross-border cooperation, REEL will support the industry become climate neutral by 2050, as foreseen in the European Action Plan.
Finally, the REEL project will contribute to the European Media and Audiovisual Action Plan by creating a small-scale action plan, based on the specific challenges and the needs of the Programme area, to boost tourism through the audiovisual sector. The document will take into account the provisions and recommendations foreseen by the European Action Plan, merging them with the key findings, good practices and results developed by REEL.
Other The EU strategy for sustainable tourism was adopted by the European Parliament on 25 March 2021 while the Transition Pathway for Tourism is a report published by the European Commission in February 2022, aiming at highlighting the areas where tourism stakeholders should take action, in order to accelerate the twin transition and promote more resilience in the tourism ecosystem.
REEL is in line with both strategies, since through the development of movie-themed itineraries promoting the lesser-known areas of the involved territories will: encourage policy makers to adapt more sustainable tourism policies that take into account the economic, social, and environmental impacts of tourism, with special concern to the valorization of natural and cultural heritage; support capacity building by providing training and support to tourism businesses, local authorities, and other stakeholders in adopting more sustainable tourism products; promote sustainable and accessible tourism products and destinations targeting lesser-known destinations through a range of marketing and communication activities. Finally, concerning the Transition Pathway, REEL is particularly in line with the Topic 15 - R&I for digital tools and services in tourism, Topic 11 - Easily accessible best practice, peer learning and networking for SMEs, Topic 16 - Support for digitalisation of tourism SMEs and destinations, Topic 21 - Educational organizations to engage in developing and renewing tourism education, Topic 25 -Enhancing accessible tourism services and Topic 26 - Tourism services for visitors and residents alike.
Other The REEL project is in line with the Digital Transition of Tourism of the European Union for the following reasons: Digitalization of tourism services, as movie-themed tours developed by the project will leverage digital technologies such as web platform and mobile apps to enhance the visitor experience and make it more engaging, interactive and accessible; Digital marketing, as REEL will use digital marketing techniques such as social media to reach a wider audience and promote movie-themed tours as a sustainable tourism product; Data analytics, as by leveraging data analytics of apps and platform, the project can gain insights into visitor behavior and preferences, which can inform the development and promotion of movie-themed tours that align with sustainable tourism principles; Smart tourism destinations, as the movie itineraries can be integrated into smart tourism destinations, which leverage digital technologies to enhance the visitor experience while minimizing negative impacts on the environment and local communities.

Programme Common Output Indicator:

RCO 116 - Jointly developed solutions, Measurement unit:
RCO 084 - Pilot actions developed jointly and implemented in projects, Measurement unit:
RCO 081 - Participations in joint actions across borders, Measurement unit:

Programme Common Result Indicator:

RCR 104 - Solutions taken up or up-scaled by organisations, Measurement unit:

Project part of European Union Macro-Regional or Sea Basin Strategy: EUSAIR

EUSAIR Priority (Policy) area / Horizontal action:

EUSAIR Degree of compliance:

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

Financing programme

2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-A Italy-Croatia

Last month that data in keep.eu was retrieved from the Programme's website or received from the Programme

2025-04-30

No. of projects in keep.eu / Total no. of projects (% of projects in keep.eu)

76 / 76 (100%)

No. of project partnerships in keep.eu / Total no. of project partnerships (% of project partnerships in keep.eu)

478 / 468 (102.14%)

Notes on the data

Discrepancy in the number of partners. The correct number is 468.

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A cinematic journey through Italy and Croatia

Description

Thematic information

Partners (6)

Partners map

Summary

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

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