Italy's Indiana Production is making waves in the comedy world with its ambitious plans to become the country's comedy leader. The Milan-based company is setting up a comedy content factory, including a creative hub and a Rome theater, under the guidance of the renowned director Gennaro Nunziante, known for his top local hits like "Buen Camino."
Nunziante's goal is to discover and foster a new wave of Italian comic talent through a series of live comedy shows at the Teatro Anfitrione in Rome. The initiative, called "Artificio," aims to transition towards a more digital business model while producing at least three feature films per year and spawning several series, podcasts, and formats.
One of the key focuses of the Indiana comedy factory is Italian sitcoms, which are currently almost non-existent in the country due to cost considerations. Nunziante believes that sitcoms made in a 24-minute format represent the future for streamers like Netflix, as they generate audience retention. Therefore, Indiana plans to produce several sitcoms made specifically for streamers.
"Buen Camino," starring local comic sensation Checco Zalone, has been a huge success on Netflix, reaching the top 10 in 21 European countries. The film's success has led to local remakes in Spain, France, Germany, and the Nordics. Nunziante emphasizes the importance of making Italian comedy content that can travel internationally while maintaining its unique identity and universal appeal.
Nunziante and Indiana are committed to making Italian comedy content that can transcend borders. However, he stresses that the key to achieving this is to stay true to the Italian identity and reach international audiences with their own heart and boldness. By doing so, they can open doors to other countries and establish themselves as leaders in the comedy space.
The Indiana comedy creative hub will be a hub of talent, with Nunziante working alongside writers Tano Mongelli, Andrea Deflino, Giuseppe Scoditti, and Giovanni Busellato. The company aims to discover, foster, and give a voice to new talents, leveraging the Vuelta infrastructure and Nunziante's experience and track record.
Indiana's comedy content factory is already in motion with several projects in various stages of development, including a new film directed by Nunziante starring Angelo Duro, a new film by Nunziante starring Fabio de Luigi, a romantic comedy featuring newcomer Nicolò De Devitiis, and a new Checco Zalone movie.
