Rome International Film Festival 2025 – Italy

Background and History

Founded in 2006, the Rome International Film Festival (Festa del Cinema di Roma), organized by the Fondazione Cinema per Roma, is a prestigious, FIAPF-accredited event celebrating global cinema. Held annually in Rome, the festival promotes a diverse range of films—fiction, documentaries, and animation—while fostering cultural dialogue through screenings, premieres, retrospectives, and public encounters.

The 20th edition in 2025, directed by Paola Malanga and with Paola Cortellesi as jury president for the Progressive Cinema Competition, emphasizes innovative storytelling and cinematic history. Known for its massive red carpet at Auditorium Parco della Musica, one of the largest globally, the festival attracts filmmakers, celebrities, and cinephiles, blending high-quality programming with accessible pricing.

Event Highlights

The 20th Rome Film Festival, running from October 15 to October 26, 2025, features a vibrant program hosted at Auditorium Parco della Musica and other cultural venues in Rome. Key highlights include:

• Opening Film: La vita va così by Riccardo Milani, an Italian comedy starring Virginia Raffaele, Diego Abatantuono, and Aldo Baglio, set in Sardinia.
• Competitive Sections:
  • Progressive Cinema – Visions of Today for the World of Tomorrow: Up to 18 international films (fiction, documentaries, animation) with a focus on innovative storytelling. Awards include Best Film, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Monica Vitti Award for Best Actress, Vittorio Gassman Award for Best Actor, and Special Jury Prize. Priority for international premieres.
  • Alice nella Città: A parallel section for youth cinema, featuring films like A Sudden Case of Christmas by Peter Chelsom and The Origin of the World by Rossella Inglese.
• Non-Competitive Sections:
  • Freestyle: Around 15 titles, including TV series, video clips, and video art, prioritizing international premieres.
  • Grand Public: Approximately 15 films for wider audiences, screened in prime time or weekday afternoons, with international premieres preferred.
  • Best of 2025: 10 standout films from other international festivals, requiring an Italian premiere.
  • Restorations, Tributes, and Retrospectives: Celebrating cinematic history with restored classics and homages to iconic figures.
• Special Events: Public encounters with filmmakers, actors, and industry professionals, plus masterclasses, panel discussions, and exhibitions.
• Awards: The BNL People’s Choice Award (€10,000 to the Italian distributor) is voted by audiences. Other awards are decided by juries led by Paola Cortellesi (Progressive Cinema) and Santiago Mitre (Freestyle and Grand Public).

Dates and Duration

• Dates: October 15 – October 26, 2025
• Duration: 12 days

Main Address

• Primary Venue: Auditorium Parco della Musica Ennio Morricone, Viale Pietro de Coubertin, 30, 00196 Roma RM, Italy
• Operational Offices: Fondazione Cinema per Roma, Piazzale Cardinal Consalvi 9, 00196 Roma RM, Italy
• Legal Address: Fondazione Cinema per Roma, Viale Pietro de Coubertin, 10, 00196 Roma RM, Italy

All Venues

The festival spans multiple locations across Rome, integrating cultural and historic sites:

• Auditorium Parco della Musica Ennio Morricone: Viale Pietro de Coubertin, 30, 00196 Roma RM, Italy. Hosts main screening theaters (e.g., Sala Sinopoli, Sala Petrassi) and the iconic red carpet.
• Casa del Cinema: Largo Marcello Mastroianni, 1, 00197 Roma RM, Italy. Budget-friendly screenings and special events.
• MAXXI – Museo nazionale delle arti del XXI secolo: Via Guido Reni, 4A, 00196 Roma RM, Italy. Features contemporary cinema and exhibitions.
• Cinema Quattro Fontane: Via delle Quattro Fontane, 23, 00184 Roma RM, Italy. Hosts additional screenings.
• Other Cultural Entities: Various theaters, cultural centers, and unconventional venues across Rome, such as libraries or museums, to be confirmed closer to the event (check www.romacinemafest.it for updates).

Contact Information

• Phone: +39 06 40401900
• Email: info@romacinemafest.org
• Website: www.romacinemafest.it
• Social Media:
  • Facebook: www.facebook.com/romacinemafest
  • X: https://twitter.com/romacinemafest
  • YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/romacinemafest
  • TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@romacinemafest
• Tourist Info: www.turismoroma.it

Ticket Information

• Pricing:
  • Casa del Cinema: €6 (~$6.60)
  • Sala Sinopoli/Petrassi (Mid-Tier): €12 (~$13.20)
  • High-End Screenings: Up to €26 (~$28.60)
  • Free Events: Many public encounters and select screenings are free, subject to availability.
• How to Purchase:
  • Online: Tickets go on sale approximately October 8, 2025, via www.romacinemafest.it, up to 30 minutes before screenings.
  • In-Person: Ticket offices at Auditorium Parco della Musica (Viale Pietro de Coubertin, 30, 00196 Roma RM) and other venues open around October 8, 2025 (hours typically 10 AM–8 PM). Remaining tickets are available 45 minutes before screenings at the venue box offices.
• Discounts and Special Offers:
  • Reduced pricing for students, seniors, and festival pass holders, available in-person with documentation.
  • Accessibility accommodations, including complimentary tickets for wheelchair users, via info@romacinemafest.org.
  • Free masterclasses and public encounters, subject to availability.
• Note: Prices and schedules are subject to change. Check www.romacinemafest.it for the final program and ticketing details.

Cultural Experience

The Rome Film Festival transforms the Eternal City into a cinematic hub, blending glamour with accessibility. The iconic red carpet at Auditorium Parco della Musica draws global stars, while screenings at venues like Casa del Cinema and MAXXI offer intimate experiences. The festival’s focus on diverse formats—fiction, documentaries, animation, and video art—alongside retrospectives and homages, celebrates both contemporary innovation and cinematic history. Public encounters with filmmakers and actors foster dialogue, making it a festival for both cinephiles and casual audiences. Rome’s historic backdrop, from the Colosseum to Trastevere, enhances the experience, inviting exploration between screenings.

Food and Drinks

Rome’s culinary scene complements the festival with authentic Italian flavors:

• Cacio e Pepe: Classic Roman pasta dish (~$11). Try at Osteria da Zi Umberto (Piazza di San Giovanni in Laterano, 14, 00184 Roma RM, near Cinema Quattro Fontane).
• Supplì: Fried rice balls with mozzarella (~$3.30). Available at Trapizzino (Via Giovanni Branca, 88, 00153 Roma RM).
• Tiramisù: Coffee-flavored dessert (~$6.60). Enjoy at Pompi (Via della Croce, 82, 00187 Roma RM).
• Aperitivo: Negroni or Aperol Spritz with snacks (~$8.80). Visit Freni e Frizioni (Via del Politeama, 4, 00153 Roma RM).
• Local Wines: Lazio’s Frascati or Montepulciano (~$5.50–$11/glass). Available at Cul de Sac (Piazza di Pasquino, 73, 00186 Roma RM).

Family and Accessibility

• Family-Friendly: The Alice nella Città section offers youth-oriented films, such as A Sudden Case of Christmas, appealing to teens and families. Free events like public encounters are suitable for older children.
• Accessibility: Auditorum Parco della Musica and Casa del Cinema are wheelchair-accessible. Contact info@romacinemafest.org for accommodations, including complimentary tickets for wheelchair users. Subtitles in English or Italian are provided for most screenings.

Getting There

• By Air: Rome Fiumicino (FCO, 30 km, ~$55 taxi or $15.40 Leonardo Express train to Roma Termini) or Ciampino (CIA, 15 km, ~$33 taxi or $5.50 bus to Termini).
• By Train: Roma Termini, served by Trenitalia, is 15–20 minutes from Auditorium Parco della Musica ($5.50 taxi or $2.20 bus, Line 910). High-speed trains from Milan (~3 hr, $44) or Naples (~1 hr, $22) connect to Rome.
• By Car: A1 Motorway to Rome. Park near Auditorium Parco della Musica (Viale Pietro de Coubertin, ~$2.20–$5.50/day). Rome’s center is a Limited Traffic Zone (ZTL), so check restrictions.
• By Public Transport: From Roma Termini, take Metro A to Flaminio (10 min, $1.65), then Tram 2 to Piazza Mancini (5 min, $1.65), a short walk to Auditorium Parco della Musica.
• On Foot: Venues like Casa del Cinema and MAXXI are within a 10–15-minute walk from Auditorium Parco della Musica, making the festival area navigable.

Program Overview

The 2025 program, to be finalized closer to the event, includes:

• Opening Ceremony: October 15, 2025, at Auditorium Parco della Musica, featuring La vita va così.
• Screenings: Competitive films in Progressive Cinema (e.g., Reading Lolita in Tehran by Eran Riklis) and Alice nella Città (e.g., No More Trouble by Tommaso Romanelli). Non-competitive sections like Freestyle (Arsa by Masbedo) and Grand Public (The Return by Uberto Pasolini).
• Retrospectives and Tributes: Restored classics and homages to cinematic legends, enhancing knowledge of film history.
• Public Encounters: Talks with directors, actors, and industry figures, often free, at Auditorium Parco della Musica or MAXXI.
• Awards Ceremony: November 26, 2025, announcing winners of the BNL People’s Choice Award and jury prizes.
• Film Submissions: Open until July 31, 2025 (Festa) and August 12, 2025 (Alice), via www.romacinemafest.org or FilmFreeway. Fees: €60–€80.

Notable Features

• Red Carpet: One of the world’s largest at Auditorium Parco della Musica, attracting global stars.
• Progressive Cinema Competition: Curated for visionary storytelling, with a jury led by Paola Cortellesi.
• Accessibility Focus: Affordable tickets, free events, and digital access options ensure broad participation.
• Youth Engagement: Alice nella Città fosters young audiences with dedicated screenings and events.

Accommodation Tips

• Hotel Artemide: Via Nazionale, 22, 00184 Roma RM (~$110–$220/night). Central, 20-minute Metro to Auditorium.
• Hotel Nord Nuova Roma: Via Giovanni Amendola, 3, 00185 Roma RM (~$88–$165/night). Near Roma Termini, 15-minute ride to festival venues.
• B&B La Casa di Amy: Via Principe Amedeo, 85, 00185 Roma RM (~$66–$110/night). Budget-friendly, close to public transport. Book early, as Rome fills up during the festival. Check www.turismoroma.it for packages.

Planning Assistance

• Screening Recommendations: Prioritize Progressive Cinema for innovative films or Alice nella Città for family-friendly options. Check www.romacinemafest.it in late September 2025 for the full schedule.
• Navigating Tickets: Opt for budget screenings at Casa del Cinema ($6.60) or splurge on Sala Sinopoli ($13.20–$28.60) for premieres. Book online from October 8 to secure seats.
• Exploring Rome: Between screenings, visit nearby landmarks like Villa Borghese (near Casa del Cinema) or the Colosseum (20-minute Metro from Termini). Enjoy aperitivo in Trastevere post-festival.