Netflix and Italian Film Commissions launch relief fund

Netflix is partnering with Italian Film Commissions in establishing a new relief fund to combat the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The streaming giant has kicked off the Film and TV Emergency Relief Fund with a €1m donation – with the aim of providing emergency short-term aid for crew and workers in the screen sector directly affected by the suspension of productions in Italy.

The fund will be administered by Italian Film Commissions (IFC), with more details on criteria and eligibility due to be available soon on its website.

Cristina Priarone, president of IFC, said: “In such a moment where everybody is requested to make special efforts, the Italian film commissions, being dynamic and ‘on the ground’, together with Netflix, will provide relief to the hardest hit workers by the stop of the productions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It is a remarkable opportunity for us to partner with Netflix and to be able to service the audiovisual community; devoting this fund to the active workers is a meaningful action, and we hope other players in our industry will join us on this.”

Felipe Tewes, director original series at Netflix, added: “We’re grateful to be working with Italian Film Commissions to support the hardest hit workers in TV and film productions affected by the Coronavirus pandemic.

“Italian crews have always been vital to Netflix’s success and now we want to do our part and help those who most need support in these unprecedented times.”

The creation of the COVID-19 Film and TV Emergency Relief Fund is part of a broader announcement Netflix made last month to set up a $100 million fund for creatives whose jobs have been affected by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.