Rome Film Fest (Alice nella Citta)

Overview

The Rome Film Fest (Festa del Cinema di Roma) is Italy's second major international film festival after Venice, held annually in October in the Italian capital. Founded in 2006 and with FIAPF Competitive Specialised accreditation, the festival screens approximately 40 to 50 films in its main program and attracts significant media attention from both the Italian and international press.

Rome's October timing positions it within the fall awards season alongside Venice, Toronto, and BFI London. The festival has worked to carve out its own identity, leaning into an audience-centered, accessible approach to programming that complements Venice's more art-house orientation. The Auditorium Parco della Musica, the festival's main venue designed by Renzo Piano, provides a distinctive and architecturally significant setting.

The festival's location in Rome, seat of both the Italian film industry (Cinecitta) and of international media attention, gives it a distinctive media environment. Italian and international entertainment press descend on Rome each October, providing films that premiere there with substantial coverage.

Key Sections

• Official Selection -- curated features across competitive and non-competitive screenings
• Alice nella Citta -- an autonomous section for youth-oriented films, one of the oldest of its kind in Europe
• Special Screenings -- high-profile premieres and tributes
• Retrospectives -- programs honoring filmmakers and movements
• Industry Events -- professional meetings and networking

What Filmmakers Should Know

The Rome Film Fest uses a mixed competition model. The Marc'Aurelio Award is voted on by a combination of jury and audience votes. For filmmakers, Rome provides exposure to the Italian market, one of the largest in Europe, and access to the Italian press corps that covers both domestic and international cinema.

Alice nella Citta, though operating within the Rome Film Fest framework, has its own identity as one of Europe's most important youth film festivals. Films targeting young audiences should consider Alice nella Citta as a distinct programming target.

Major Awards

• Marc'Aurelio Award -- Best Film (combining jury and audience votes)
• Special Jury Prize
• Alice nella Citta Awards -- for youth-oriented films
• Audience Award

Festival History

Rome Film Fest was founded in 2006 by Piera Detassis and has evolved through several artistic and organizational phases. The festival has worked to establish itself as a complement to Venice rather than a rival, serving a different audience and a different moment in the fall festival calendar.

See Also

For understanding Italian cinema, see International Film Markets. For festival strategy, see Film Festival Strategy.