In October, Sardinia has become a filming base for Italian and international film and television productions, with sets stretching from Gallura to Asinara, and as far as Villasimius and Cagliari. Projects currently underway include a new film starring Adam Sandler, a Prime Video series and several French programs: crews are choosing the island for its coastal locations and inland scenery.
In Gallura, Sandler is filming scenes for “Un weekend da bamboccioni 3”, a Netflix production, between Cala Moresca and Porto Cervo. Filming is also scheduled in Olbia’s town center from 16 to 20 October. In the same area, the week of “4 Hotel” began on Monday, 12 October: the Banijay Italia program takes Bruno Barbieri to accommodation venues across Gallura, where he assesses the locations, service, rooms and breakfast.
Filming has begun on “Lo sconsegnato” on Asinara and in Stintino, directed by Margherita Parizon and produced by Dorje Film. The feature film, which received regional funding in 2025, will tell the story of Salvatore Fadda, an inmate at Fornelli prison who, thanks to good behavior, earns sconsegnato status and is able to work in service of the island. Filming is expected to last about a month.
Filming is underway in Villasimius for “Due cuori in affitto”, a Prime Video series produced by Lucisano and based on Felicia Kingsley’s novel. It centers on an aspiring screenwriter and a writer sharing a home; the cast includes Jacqueline Luna and Giacomo Gianniotti. The southwestern coast, from Villasimius to Iglesias, Domus de Maria and Teulada, is also hosting commercials for major brands.
The island will also feature in French television productions. Sophie Jovillard, Jérôme Pitorin and Ismaël Khelifa are expected in the coming days for “Échappées belles”, a travel and documentary program broadcast on France 5, with an episode dedicated to Sardinia and inland locations, probably in Barbagia. M6, meanwhile, will film the French version of “Married at First Sight” in Cagliari.
The growth in filming comes during a season that has already seen productions such as “Catch-22”, filmed in Olbia in 2018, Paolo Sorrentino’s “Loro” on the Costa Smeralda, and Disney’s live-action “The Little Mermaid” in 2023. “Zustissia” has also reached cinemas, while a series about the kidnapping of Farouk Kassam is expected on Rai Uno from November.
Regional Councillor for Culture Ilaria Portas has identified expanding film training and education as one of her goals. Together with the Film Commission, the Region also supports audiovisual productions that do not fall under the law dedicated to cultural and identity-based products. A total of 2 million and 150,000 euros has been allocated through a call for proposals to fund ten feature films shot in Sardinia; a further 400,000 euros is earmarked for promoting film culture.
Portas also cited approximately 1.2 million euros to cover up to 70% of the costs of festivals, awards, film series and circuits. In the area of professional training, the Region has funded projects at the two universities and the Academy of Fine Arts, relaunched the Creas project for teaching cinema in schools, and introduced Filmas to train professionals and crews in the sector.