Rome Film Fest (October 15–26, 2025), Rome

The Rome Film Fest returns for its 20th edition from October 15 to 26, 2025, once again transforming the Eternal City into an international hub for cinema, culture, and creative exchange. Hosted at the Auditorium Parco della Musica Ennio Morricone, the striking cultural complex designed by Renzo Piano, the festival takes place in a venue whose distinctive beetle-shaped concert halls have become an architectural icon of modern Rome.

Since its founding in 2006, the Rome Film Fest has developed a distinctive identity among major international festivals, placing equal importance on artistic excellence and broad public engagement. Each year, the event draws directors, actors, producers, and industry professionals from across the globe, while also offering screenings, masterclasses, and retrospectives open to the general public. This balance between industry focus and audience participation has made Rome a key cultural meeting point in the autumn festival season.

The opening film of the 2025 edition is La vita va così by Italian director Riccardo Milani, presented out of competition in the Grand Public section. Set over two decades in a striking corner of Sardinia, the film tells the story of a community caught between the promise of economic opportunity and the need to defend its land and cultural identity. With irony, passion, and a deep sense of place, Milani explores themes of resilience and belonging, crafting a narrative inspired by real events that captured international media attention. The cast includes leading Italy-based talent across generations, including Virginia Raffaele, Diego Abatantuono, Aldo Baglio, Giuseppe Ignazio Loi, and Geppi Cucciari. Produced by Our Films (Mediawan Group) and Wildside (Fremantle Group), in association with Medusa Film and PiperFilm, the feature will be co-distributed by Medusa and PiperFilm, with international sales handled by PiperFilm.

This year’s edition will also feature the Progressive Cinema Competition, the festival’s main competitive section, chaired by acclaimed actress, director, and screenwriter Paola Cortellesi. Her debut as both filmmaker and lead actress, C’è ancora domani, was the top-grossing film in Italy in 2023, surpassing even Barbie at the box office and cementing her status as one of the most influential voices in contemporary Italian cinema.

Beyond its opening night, the Rome Film Fest will present a diverse program that spans auteur cinema, international blockbusters, documentaries, and innovative storytelling across genres. The event continues to embrace its mission of creating a bridge between Italian creativity and the global film industry, fostering opportunities for co-production, distribution, and cultural dialogue.

Celebrating its 20th anniversary, the festival underscores Rome’s role as both a cinematic capital and a city of audiences, reaffirming its position as a platform where cinema becomes not only an art form but also a shared cultural experience.

For more details on the program, accreditation, and participation, please visit the official Rome Film Fest website.