Linkages between film commissions and production companies: towards a win-win local development strategy

National, regional and urban policies across Europe have ramped up efforts to attract film and television productions through direct and indirect subsidies that provide filmmakers with assistance during filming and financial support to finance their productions. To better understand the role of film commissions concerning the impact of the domains of finance, policy, human capital and cultural environment on the development of local film industry, the entrepreneurial ecosystem model was applied to investigate two North Italian cities, Bolzano and Trento. Findings illuminate why short term economic benefits might undermine long-term development of the local film industry and which steps are needed to elaborate a win-win strategy.