The 21st edition of the Rome Film Fest gets underway with a renewed vision, bringing cinema beyond the Auditorium and into the heart of the city. Running until October 25, this year’s festival promises a rich and diverse programme for audiences of all tastes
Rome is ready to become one vast cinematic stage as the 21st edition of the Rome Film Fest officially opens, launching twelve days dedicated to the magic of the seventh art. This year, the festival takes a bold new direction, expanding its reach across the Italian capital and embracing a more widespread, accessible and inclusive vision of cinema.
Under the leadership of Salvo Nastasi, President of the Fondazione Cinema per Roma, and Paola Malanga, the festival’s Artistic Director, the event reaffirms its position as a major fixture on Italy’s cultural calendar, while continuing to attract growing international attention.
At the heart of the festivities remains the iconic red carpet at the Auditorium Parco della Musica. Stretching an impressive 1,300 metres, it is considered one of the most spectacular in the world. Once again, the experience will be enhanced by the sound design of Federico Sacchi Musicteller, setting the stage for a dazzling parade of international stars and acclaimed filmmakers.
A Star-Studded Opening Night
For the second consecutive year, Ema Stokholma will host the opening ceremony, guiding audiences through an evening that promises major cinematic moments and prestigious awards.
The festival will officially open with Il rumore delle cose nuove, the latest film by Italian director Paolo Genovese, setting the tone for an edition designed to celebrate both established talents and new artistic perspectives.
The opening ceremony will also feature two significant honours. Oscar-winning composer Nicola Piovani will receive the Banca Ifis Music Award, presented by acclaimed filmmaker Marco Bellocchio. Bellocchio will briefly step away from the set of Falcon, his upcoming film about Sergio Marchionne, starring Pierfrancesco Favino, to take part in the ceremony.
Meanwhile, the Industry Lifetime Achievement Award will go to British producer Tessa Ross, an Oscar nominee for Conclave and a key figure behind internationally acclaimed films including Billy Elliot, Slumdog Millionaire, The Last King of Scotland, In Bruges, 12 Years a Slave and The Zone of Interest. The award will be presented by Edward Berger, the director of Conclave.
Cinema Beyond the Screen: Exhibitions and New Perspectives
The Rome Film Fest is not confined to the cinema screen. Starting today, a series of exhibitions will open at the Auditorium Parco della Musica, offering visitors new ways to explore the relationship between cinema, photography and contemporary culture.
Among this year’s highlights is a striking new photographic exhibition that introduces colour for the first time, bringing a fresh visual dimension to portraits of some of the world’s most recognisable film stars.
The exhibition features a vibrant collection of images capturing Johnny Depp, Vincent Lindon, Riccardo Scamarcio, Jennifer Lawrence, Angelina Jolie, Isabella Rossellini, Tim Burton and Louis Garrel.
Organised by Civita Mostre e Musei in collaboration with the Rome Film Fest and supported by Nuovo Imaie, the exhibition celebrates the faces and personalities that have shaped contemporary cinema, offering audiences an intimate glimpse of the stars beyond their on-screen roles.
Twelve Days, One City, One Celebration of Cinema
With its expanded programme, prestigious guests, major premieres and cultural initiatives, the 21st Rome Film Fest aims to strengthen the bond between cinema and the city that hosts it.
From the glamour of the red carpet to the exhibitions at the Auditorium, the festival is embracing a more open and inclusive identity, inviting residents and visitors alike to experience cinema as an integral part of Rome’s cultural life.
As the lights come up and the celebrations begin, the message is clear: for the next twelve days, the Eternal City will be more than a backdrop for the seventh art.
Rome itself will become one great screen!!
