Rome’s legendary Cinecittà Studios is writing its next act—and this one’s built for global scale.

Under CEO Manuela Cacciamani, Cinecittà has unveiled a sweeping five-year industrial strategy that aims to transform the historic Italian lot into Europe’s most competitive production hub. The plan: double revenue, grow international market share, and add new cutting-edge facilities to meet surging global demand.

The numbers are bold. Cinecittà is targeting annual revenues of $56 million by 2029, up from approximately $28 million today, with a projected net profit of $4.6 million. That growth will be fueled by expanding its footprint from 20 to 25 soundstages by mid-2026—powered in part by a $326 million investment from the European Union’s post-pandemic recovery fund.

“We’re not just building for the present—we’re designing for the future of production,” said Cacciamani in a recent interview with Screen Global Production. “We’ve hit full capacity. Every stage is booked through 2025, and we’ve had to turn away business for Q4. That’s a clear signal: the demand is here.”

That demand includes major studio productions such as Mel Gibson’s The Resurrection Of The Christ, Ridley Scott’s The Dog Stars, and the sci-fi thriller White Mars starring Luke Newton and Lucy Hale—all shooting on Cinecittà’s stages this year. International projects now account for a staggering 70% of Cinecittà’s bookings.

Italy’s 40% international tax credit has played a starring role in this growth, offering one of the most competitive financial packages on the continent. But Cacciamani stresses that the country’s success goes beyond incentives.

“What makes Italy different is our craftsmanship,” she said. “From costume design to set construction, our artisans are second to none. Combine that with advanced infrastructure, and Cinecittà offers something unique.”

That infrastructure now includes one of Europe’s largest virtual production stages—Theater 18—a signal that Cinecittà is leaning heavily into next-gen technology. Plans are underway to expand both virtual and hybrid production environments, including new VR and motion capture capabilities.

Cacciamani, a seasoned producer who took the reins of Cinecittà in 2024, has made international outreach a personal mission. She’s taken a hands-on approach to global partnerships, actively courting studios and streamers with a blend of hospitality, transparency, and speed.

“The market is looking for places that are not just beautiful but turnkey,” she said. “You need support. You need real partnerships. That’s what we’re offering.”

One challenge still looming: the slow disbursement of Italy’s domestic tax credits. While the international incentive remains stable, producers using the domestic program have reported delays. Cacciamani acknowledged the concern and said government stakeholders are working toward a resolution.

Still, the message is clear—Cinecittà is no longer just a heritage brand. It’s a modern, forward-looking studio system competing on the world stage.

“We’re at an inflection point,” Cacciamani said. “If we do this right, Cinecittà will be the go-to home for high-end global storytelling—for the next hundred years.”