Animare Animation Short Film Festival
Two evenings of free animated short films, workshops, and live music in Balduina
About Animare Animation Short Film Festival
An animation festival born from the neighborhood
The Animare Animation Short Film Festival, promoted by the Animare Association in collaboration with the Balduina'S and Rete Trionfale merchant and resident networks, is one of the freshest cultural initiatives in northern Rome. Launched in 2025 at the Casotto di Monte Ciocci and having grown rapidly, the festival is built on a simple and generous idea: to showcase animated short films created by children and teenagers who attended the association's workshops, putting them on the same screen as works by established professionals.
The event takes place in the Balduina district, on the slopes of Monte Mario, one of the highest points in the capital, and is part of a green space redevelopment project in the Municipio XIV Monte Mario, supported by the Lazio Region.
The park as a cinema
Starting with the 2026 edition, the festival is held at Parco Gabriele Sandri, on Via del Parco della Vittoria, below the Leopardi school. This choice is no coincidence: bringing screenings, workshops, and concerts to a neighborhood park means returning it to the residents as a place of culture and gathering, rather than just a transit area. The screen is set up outdoors, and the audience sits on the grass, enjoying the informal and family-friendly atmosphere that has become the event's hallmark.
What to see and do
- Short film screenings created by children from the Animare workshops and local schools, covering everything from the initial concept and storyboard to editing and soundtrack.
- Meetings with professionals from the Italian and international animation scene, featuring screenings of their work and insights into the craft.
- Free stop-motion workshops and artistic activities for children aged 6 to 12, held in the late afternoon.
- Live music, with performance-lectures dedicated to the relationship between music and animated imagery.
- Street food area managed in partnership with local businesses.
Italian animation told live
One of the festival's strengths is the quality of the guests it brings into a neighborhood setting. The 2026 edition featured 2D animator Cristina Conte, 3D artist Emma Vasile, and director Margherita Giusti, winner of the 2024 David di Donatello for the short film The Meatseller. The closing evening featured a performance-lecture on the bond between music and animated images, with live interludes performed by musicians from the Santa Cecilia Conservatory accompanying famous sequences from the history of animation.
A completely free event for families
All festival activities—screenings, workshops, meetings, and concerts—are free to attend, with no booking required. It is a precious opportunity for Roman families looking for an outdoor evening activity during the warm late-May nights, and for anyone curious to discover how a cartoon is born, from the first idea to the finished film.
Balduina and Monte Mario
The festival is a great reason to explore a side of Rome far from the tourist circuits: Balduina and Monte Mario offer some of the most expansive views of the city, from the Monte Ciocci Park to the natural terraces overlooking St. Peter's and the historic center. The district, located in the Municipio XIV of the Metropolitan City of Rome Capital, in the Lazio region, preserves a fabric of local shops and highly active associations, which are the true organizational engine of this event.
Animare Animation Short Film Festival — edition 2026
The festival changes home
After its debut in 2025 at the Casotto di Monte Ciocci, the 2026 edition of the Animation Short Film Festival moved to Parco Gabriele Sandri, on Via del Parco della Vittoria, below the Leopardi school, in the heart of the Balduina district. Two evenings, Friday, May 29 and Saturday, May 30, 2026, from approximately 5:30 PM to 10:30 PM, all with free admission.
The dates were initially announced for May 31 and June 1, then brought forward by the organizers to allow for better logistical management and the creation of a richer and more accessible program.
A two-tier program
The formula alternates the work of the youngest with that of professionals: on one hand, short films created by children from the Animare Association workshops and local schools, and on the other, meetings with those who make animation their profession. The closing evening was dedicated to the relationship between music and animated imagery, with live performances by musicians from the Santa Cecilia Conservatory.
Organization
The event is promoted by the Animare Association together with the Balduina'S and Rete Trionfale networks, with the patronage of the Municipio Roma XIV Monte Mario and the contribution of the Lazio Region, as well as the support of numerous local businesses.
Programme Animare Animation Short Film Festival 2026
Friday, May 29, 2026
- 6:00 PM — Free artistic workshops and stop-motion workshop for children aged 6 to 12.
- 8:00 PM — Screening of works created by participants in the Animare workshops.
- 9:00 PM — Meeting and screenings with professionals from the world of animation: 2D animator Cristina Conte (Cuphead), 3D artist Emma Vasile (Adventure Time, The Great Beauty), and director Margherita Giusti, 2024 David di Donatello winner for the short film The Meatseller.
Saturday, May 30, 2026
- 6:00 PM — Repeat of the free stop-motion workshops and artistic activities for children aged 6 to 12.
- 8:00 PM — Screening of short films created by children from the Animare workshop.
- 9:00 PM — Performance-lecture on the relationship between music and animated imagery, with live musical interludes performed by musicians from the Santa Cecilia Conservatory accompanying famous sequences from the history of animation.
A street food area is active throughout the evenings. All activities are free and do not require booking.
Highlights Animare Animation Short Film Festival 2026
- Free stop-motion workshops for children aged 6 to 12, both evenings.
- Short films by local school children screened on a large outdoor screen.
- Meeting with Margherita Giusti, winner of the 2024 David di Donatello for The Meatseller.
- Performance-lecture on music and animation with live musicians from the Santa Cecilia Conservatory.
- Street food area and outdoor evenings in Parco Gabriele Sandri.
Prices Animare Animation Short Film Festival 2026
Practical information — Animare Animation Short Film Festival
Location
Parco Gabriele Sandri, Via del Parco della Vittoria (below the Leopardi school), Balduina district, Rome. The 2025 edition took place at the Casotto di Monte Ciocci, with access from Via Domizia Lucilla.
How to get there
The area is served by the Roma Balduina and Monte Mario railway stations (FL3 line), as well as numerous urban bus lines along Via Trionfale. The organizers encourage visitors to reach the park on foot or by bicycle, as parking in the area is limited.
Admission and hours
Free admission to all activities, no booking required. Evenings generally run from 5:30 PM–6:00 PM until 10:00 PM–10:30 PM, with workshops in the late afternoon and screenings starting at 8:00 PM.
Tips
As screenings are outdoors, it is useful to bring a mat or blanket and a light sweater, as it gets cooler in the hills at night. The street food area allows for dining on-site. For the stop-motion workshops, dedicated to children aged 6 to 12, it is best to arrive at opening time as spots are limited.
Information
Program updates are available on the website balduina.org and on the network's social media channels (Facebook ReteBalduina, Instagram @balduinas_rete).
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