Apriti Cinema
The open-air cinema arena under the stars of Florence, in Piazza de' Pitti
About Apriti Cinema
Cinema under the stars in the heart of Florence
Every summer, one of the most evocative squares in Florence transforms into a grand open-air cinema: Apriti Cinema is the outdoor film festival that brings Florentine nights to life with over forty evenings of free screenings. After many years in the scenic Piazzale degli Uffizi, the event is now held in Piazza de' Pitti, in front of the majestic facade of Palazzo Pitti, in the heart of the Oltrarno district, in the Municipality of Florence and its Metropolitan City, in Tuscany.
A program of previews and grand tributes
Apriti Cinema is not your typical outdoor cinema; it is a true cultural festival that brings the best of international auteur cinema to the public square. The program alternates between feature films and documentaries—always screened in original language with Italian subtitles—alongside previews, retrospectives dedicated to great directors, and commemorative tributes that mark anniversaries and centennials in film history each year.
Alongside the main screenings, the event hosts numerous Florentine film festivals, from the River to River - Florence Indian Film Festival to the Florence Korea Film Fest, the Florence Queer Festival, and the Festival di Cinema e Donne, offering a perspective that spans global cinematography.
A free and accessible festival
The strength of Apriti Cinema lies in its popular and inclusive nature: all evenings are free to attend, subject to availability, and every year at least one screening is made accessible to visually impaired individuals. The festival, an integral part of the Estate Fiorentina program, is organized by the Quelli dell'Alfieri association, with programming by La Compagnia - Fondazione Sistema Toscana and the collaboration of the Uffizi Galleries.
The atmosphere of a summer night
Sitting in Piazza de' Pitti after sunset, with the giant screen lighting up under the Florentine sky and the Medici palace facade behind you, is an experience that blends great cinematic culture with the enchantment of a city of art. For those visiting Florence in summer, Apriti Cinema is an unmissable appointment: free, open to all, and capable of turning any ordinary evening into a special event.
Apriti Cinema — edition 2026
The 15th edition of Apriti Cinema takes place in Piazza de' Pitti in Florence from June 15 to July 26, 2026, with over forty nights of free screenings. 2026 is an edition particularly dense with anniversaries and tributes, with a program ranging from great classics to previews, always in original language with Italian subtitles.
The festival is organized by the Quelli dell'Alfieri association, with programming by La Compagnia - Fondazione Sistema Toscana and the collaboration of the Uffizi Galleries, as part of the Estate Fiorentina 2026.
Programme Apriti Cinema 2026
General Information
- Location: Piazza de' Pitti, Florence
- Time: screenings at 9:45 PM (9:30 PM on June 25 and July 4)
- Admission: free until capacity is reached
- Language: films in original version with Italian subtitles
Commemorative Tributes
- Centennial of the birth of Marilyn Monroe
- Centennial of the birth of Florestano Vancini
- 50th anniversary of the death of Agatha Christie
- 200th anniversary of the birth of Carlo Collodi
Auteur Retrospectives
- Olivier Assayas — featuring Sils Maria, Personal Shopper, and Non-Fiction
- Carlo Rambaldi — "The Stuff of Dreams", dedicated to the master of special effects
Thematic Series
- From Book to Film – Based on… — cinematic adaptations of Christie, Bassani, King, Collodi, Dick, and Wharton
- The Uffizi Galleries Present — a selection curated by the museum, including Il sentiero azzurro (June 19), Lady Nazca (June 26), Il suono di una caduta (July 3), and Chopin - Notturno a Parigi (July 10)
- Lo schermo dell'arte – Midsummer Nights
- (Sittin' On) The Doc — music documentaries
Guest Film Festivals
- River to River - Florence Indian Film Festival
- Florence Korea Film Fest
- Florence Calling
- Florence Queer Festival
- FánHuā Chinese Film Festival
- Middle East Now – Summer Beats
- Festival di Cinema e Donne (47th edition)
Special Sections
- "Cambia Uomo Cambia"
- "Waiting for the Fiesole Award to the Masters of Cinema"
- "Fuoriluogo – Sentiero Film Factory"
- "35 years of N.I.C.E."
Announced Guests
- Cristina Lippolis Rambaldi (June 16)
- Prof. Anna Masecchia (June 18)
- Gloria Vancini (June 23)
- Ornella Marini, counselor (July 4)
- Director Davide Angiuli (July 5)
- Bruno Casini and Valentina Gensini (July 16-17)
- Isabella Mancini (July 22)
- Director Carolina Cavalli (July 25)
Highlights Apriti Cinema 2026
- Tributes for the centennials of Marilyn Monroe and Florestano Vancini
- The retrospective dedicated to Olivier Assayas
- The tribute to Carlo Rambaldi, "The Stuff of Dreams"
- The "From Book to Film – Based on…" series
- Over 40 nights of free admission in Piazza de' Pitti
Prices Apriti Cinema 2026
Practical information — Apriti Cinema
Location
Piazza de' Pitti, in front of Palazzo Pitti, in the Oltrarno district of Florence (ZIP 50125).
How to get there
The square is reachable on foot from the historic center in a few minutes by crossing the Ponte Vecchio. By train: arrive at Florence Santa Maria Novella station, then continue on foot (about 20 minutes) or by public transport (ATAF). By car: we recommend leaving your vehicle in peripheral parking lots, given the ZTL (limited traffic zone) in the historic center.
Hours and admission
Screenings begin at 9:45 PM (on some evenings at 9:30 PM). Admission is free until capacity is reached: we recommend arriving early to secure a seat.
Program
The complete and updated program is published on the La Compagnia website (cinemalacompagnia.it).
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Where does it take place — Apriti Cinema
Piazza de' Pitti
Piazza de' Pitti, 50125 Firenze