The Italian cinema industry is feeling a surge of optimism as the year begins thanks to bumper ticket sales in 2007 and an increase in the share commanded by home-produced films, showed cinema ticket sales figures available on Wednesday.

With ticket sales reaching 115 million, the Italy's cinemas posted a 12 percent rise on the previous year. This was their best result for 20 years if you exclude 1998 when James Cameron's Titanic produced a jump in statistics.

According to Italian experts, one reason for the surge in 2007 was the appearance of blockbusters like the most recent Harry Potter film and Spiderman 3 in the traditionally quiet summer months.

But the strong presence of Italian films is also seen as a factor. There were 10 of them among the top 25 money-makers last year and home-produced movies accounted for 31 percent of takings, compared to 25 percent a year earlier.

"The figures are comforting and induce optimism for the future, " commented Paolo Protti, president of Anec, the national association of cinema operators.