Amazon Studios is producing its first Italian original movie. The streaming site has unveiled the start of production on the new film, Anni da cane (Dog Years.) The film, written by Mary Stella Brugiati and Alessandro Bosi and directed by Fabio Mollo, will premiere on Amazon Prime Video in the fall and will be available in 240 markets worldwide. 

The original coming-of-age comedy, produced by Notorious Pictures, centers around a girl who gets into an accident involving a dog and convinces herself that she should count her life in dog years. She then sets out on a quest to fulfill her bucket list as one year of her life now counts for seven. 

“We are excited to bolster the thriving Amazon scripted originals slate in Europe with this unique Italian story,” said Georgia Brown, head of European originals, Amazon Studios. “Our first Italian Amazon original movie, Anni da cane, will add to our compelling array of scripted shows currently in production in Italy, including Bang Bang Baby, Everybody Loves Diamonds and Vita da Carlo. This is a fascinating story and one we hope will become a must-see movie for Prime Video viewers around the world.”

Nicole Morganti, head of Amazon originals, Italy said, “We are excited to kick off our movie production with a prestigious partner such as Notorious Pictures and a creative team of young, talented filmmakers. With the invaluable support of this amazing crew, we will offer viewers a wholly different story filled with comedy, tenderness and sensitivity that will speak directly to our younger audiences in their own language.”

Amazon gained attention for its upcoming European content in 2019 when Brown unveiled a plan for creating local shows. At the time, she had been working to set up production offices in France, Germany, Italy and Spain and had already set up an office in London to focus on unscripted programming. Those efforts seem to be paying off as the streaming giant has now produced several European TV shows in the year since. 

Having the first Italian film be a coming of age comedy and not a drama, like most foreign films that crossover to American audiences, may mean that more off beat foreign film experiences could gain attention in multiple streaming markets. When it comes to seeing more films break into foreign markets, streaming may be the answer.