Film Law Practice: How DANDI Supports Italian and International Film and Audiovisual Productions

DANDI.media is an Italian boutique law firm specialised in film and audiovisual law, supporting producers, directors, screenwriters, composers, performers, broadcasters, distributors, and platform operators across all phases of audiovisual projects. Founded by Avv. Claudia Roggero and Avv. Donato Di Pelino, the firm combines Italian copyright and entertainment law expertise with cross-border experience across Western Europe, the Balkans, and major international markets including USA and Japan.

This page outlines the film and audiovisual practice areas. For copyright law generally, see our master pillar guide. For independent producer-focused services, see our legal services for independent film producers.

Pre-production legal services

The pre-production phase establishes the IP foundation of the entire project. DANDI services include:

• Option agreements for literary works, screenplays, biographies, articles, podcasts — see our option agreement guide;
• Underlying rights chain: novel-to-screen, biographical works, true crime adaptations, podcast-to-screen, video game adaptations;
• Writers’ agreements: screenplay commissioning, rewrite agreements, polish deals, story credits;
• Director agreements: pre-engagement, exclusive development, helmer deals with creative controls;
• Production company structuring: Single Purpose Entity (SPE) setup, holding structures, JV agreements between co-producers;
• Pre-sale and pre-financing agreements: with broadcasters, streaming platforms, distributors, equity investors;
• Cultural test eligibility: assessment for Italian tax credit and international incentives;
• Talent attachment: pay-or-play deals, exclusivity, holds, first negotiation/last refusal arrangements.

Production phase legal support

During production, the legal infrastructure must support fast-moving operational decisions:

• Cast and crew agreements: actor agreements with full image and AI provisions, director agreements under Article 44 LDA, crew agreements;
• Location agreements: location releases, permits, indemnification;
• Music synchronisation: sync and master use licences, original score commissioning — see our music sync contract guide;
• Equipment, services, and vendor agreements: equipment rental, post-production services, VFX, sound mixing;
• Insurance coordination: E&O insurance, production insurance, talent coverage;
• Clearance during production: real-time clearance decisions for archive footage, third-party content visible in scenes, music — see our clearing copyrighted material guide;
• Releases: location releases, depicted person releases, minor releases with parental consent;
• Working with minors: Italian minor protection framework, schooling, working hours.

Post-production and distribution

Post-production and distribution legal services focus on consolidating rights and enabling commercial exploitation:

• Chain of title: documentation consolidation and distribution-ready packages — see our chain of title guide;
• Distribution agreements: theatrical, broadcast, streaming, ancillary rights;
• Sales agent agreements: international sales appointment, commission structures, term and territory;
• Festival submission: festival agreements, rights warranties, screening rights;
• Streaming platform agreements: Netflix, Amazon, Disney, Apple, MUBI deals;
• Broadcaster agreements: Rai, Mediaset, Sky, La7, regional broadcasters;
• Merchandising and ancillary: branded merchandise, music albums, book tie-ins, video game adaptations;
• Music album release: soundtrack album publishing and distribution agreements.

Tax credit and incentive compliance

Italian film financing benefits from one of Europe’s most generous tax credit systems. Compliance and optimisation services:

• D.I. MiC-MEF 225/2024 compliance: production tax credit, distribution tax credit, foreign producer credit — see our Italian film tax credit guide;
• Mandatory AI clause: Article 7 paragraph 6 D.I. 225/2024 implementation;
• Cultural eligibility: pre-production analysis and certification preparation;
• Documentation and reporting: throughout production and audit;
• Tax credit assignment: agreements with Italian financial intermediaries;
• Regional film fund coordination: regional Italian incentives layered with national tax credit;
• Eurimages and Creative Europe MEDIA: application coordination and compliance.

International co-production structuring

Cross-border productions require coordinated legal structuring across multiple jurisdictions:

• Bilateral treaty navigation: France, Germany, Spain, UK, USA (service production), Japan, Canada — see our international co-productions guide;
• Eastern European partnerships: Serbia, Croatia, Bulgaria, Bosnia, North Macedonia, Albania, Romania — see our Italy-Balkans co-productions guide;
• Multilateral structures: European Convention on Cinematographic Co-Production framework;
• Co-production agreements: ownership split, decision-making, territorial rights, revenue waterfall;
• Service production: USA service deals using Italian executive producer structure;
• Cross-border tax and employment: posted workers, social security coordination, VAT;
• AI clause coordination across jurisdictions.

Disputes and litigation

Where disputes arise, DANDI provides representation:

• Italian specialised IP chambers in Rome, Milan, Genoa, Naples, and other major venues;
• Urgent measures under Article 700 CPC for IP infringement;
• Civil damages and account of profits claims under Articles 121-125 CPI;
• Criminal complaint coordination with the Public Prosecutor;
• International arbitration (Milan Chamber of Arbitration, ICC, neutral venues);
• Co-production disputes between Italian and international partners;
• Talent disputes (director, actor, writer, composer);
• Distribution disputes and streaming platform conflicts.

Sectors and project types

DANDI’s film and audiovisual practice covers:

• Feature films: narrative, theatrical and streaming;
• Documentaries: independent and broadcaster-commissioned — see our independent documentaries guide;
• TV series: episodic, limited series, anthology;
• Streaming originals: Netflix, Amazon, Disney, Apple, Sky, MUBI, RaiPlay;
• Advertising and branded content: commercials, branded entertainment, influencer campaigns;
• Music videos;
• Short films and experimental;
• VR/AR and interactive content: emerging media projects.

How to engage DANDI

Book directly with Avv. Claudia Roggero or Avv. Donato Di Pelino for a consultation. The firm operates from offices in Rome and Genoa, with extensive remote and travel availability for cross-border projects and festival/market presence (Berlinale EFM, Cannes Marché du Film, Venice Cinema Mercato, Beldocs Industry, others).

Related practice guides

Dandi Law Firm provides legal assistance in several Practice Areas. Check out our Services or contact Us!