Arrosticinema – Grilled Film Nights

Cinema and arrosticini under the stars in Ortona

Arrosticinema – Grilled Film Nights is one of the most original summer events on the Abruzzo coast: a film festival at the Auditorium Zambra in Ortona, in the heart of the Chieti province, that fuses the seventh art with local culinary traditions. The formula is as simple as it is irresistible: first, you dine on grilled arrosticini, then you take your seat in front of the big screen for an art-house movie.

The "film + food" concept

Every event follows the same convivial ritual. From 7:30 PM, the audience gathers to taste arrosticini—the sheep meat skewers that are the gastronomic symbol of Abruzzo—accompanied by local specialties. Around 9:15 PM, the screening begins, featuring a selection of Italian and European films. It is a fresh, original, and deeply social way to experience cinema, as the organizers like to define it.

A project by Unaltroteatro

The festival is conceived and curated by Unaltroteatro, the cultural organization led by Lorenza Sorino and Arturo Scognamiglio, which manages the Auditorium Zambra. The initiative is part of the national Cinema Revolution program, a campaign promoted by the Ministry of Culture to support Italian and European cinema during the summer with reduced-price tickets. The spirit is to bring the public back to the cinema in summer, in a relaxed and delicious setting.

Ortona and the Trabocchi Coast

Overlooking the Adriatic, Ortona is one of the most charming destinations on the Abruzzo Trabocchi Coast, with its beaches, harbor, and Aragonese castle. The Arrosticinema festival has established itself as a staple of the local summer, attracting residents and tourists looking for something different, where the pleasure of dining meets the magic of cinema.

How the evening works

• 7:30 PM – Tasting of arrosticini and typical Abruzzese products
• 9:15 PM – Film screening at the Auditorium Zambra
• Weekly schedule from July to September
• Reservations required for dinner and screening

An experience designed for those who love good cinema without sacrificing taste: in the heart of the Abruzzo Region, Arrosticinema proves how culinary tradition and culture can come together in a winning formula.