Casa del Cinema - Summer Arena (Ettore Scola Theatre)

An open-air arena in the heart of Villa Borghese

The Summer Arena of the Casa del Cinema is one of the most iconic events of the summer in Rome, in the Metropolitan City of Rome, Lazio region. The stage is the Ettore Scola Open-Air Theatre, a large arena nestled in the Villa Borghese park, at Largo Marcello Mastroianni, in the Municipio II district. Every evening, as darkness falls, hundreds of spectators sit outdoors for a free admission screening, in a setting that blends historic greenery, architecture, and great cinema.

A program of curated series, not just a simple schedule

The strength of the arena lies in its thematic series: each cycle explores an author, an anniversary, or a theme, accompanying the audience for weeks. It is not a random succession of titles, but a journey curated by the Fondazione Cinema per Roma, the same organization behind the Rome Film Fest.

• Tribute to Ettore Scola — marking the tenth anniversary of the passing of the director after whom the theatre is named, with titles such as Dramma della gelosia (tutti i particolari in cronaca), C'eravamo tanto amati, Una giornata particolare, and La cena.
• Marilyn 100 — the centenary of Marilyn Monroe's birth, featuring films directed by Howard Hawks, Billy Wilder, and Jean Negulesco, including How to Marry a Millionaire.
• Mel Brooks 100 — celebrating the American author's comedy around June 28 with Young Frankenstein and Blazing Saddles.
• Via terra — road and travel cinema, from Easy Rider to Thelma & Louise and Little Miss Sunshine, with directors like Gianni Amelio, David Lynch, Dino Risi, and Ridley Scott.
• Nouvelle Vague sul Tevere — the fifth edition of the series dedicated to French cinema, born from the twinning between Rome and Paris.

How to watch a film at the arena

Screenings are held every day starting at sunset, with start times usually set for 9:30 PM (sometimes earlier). Films are presented in their original language with Italian subtitles, except for exceptions announced on official channels: a choice that makes the festival particularly suitable for international visitors in the capital. Access is free until capacity is reached, with no mandatory reservation; in case of bad weather, screenings may be moved to the indoor Cinecittà hall inside the Casa del Cinema.

The Casa del Cinema, a true home

Housed in the former Casina delle Rose, the Casa del Cinema has been the public hub dedicated to the seventh art in Rome since 2004: screening rooms, archives, meetings with authors, and school activities. The summer arena is its most popular face, bringing quality programming out of the halls and returning it to the city for free, within the perimeter of the Estate Romana (Roman Summer) promoted by Roma Capitale through the Department of Culture.

Why it's worth the evening

Going to the Villa Borghese arena is not just about watching a film: it's about walking through the park at sunset, sitting among the Roman pines, and sharing the same story projected on a big screen with strangers. For those visiting the city in summer, it is one of the most authentic — and least expensive — ways to experience a Roman evening, just a short walk from Via Veneto, the Pincio, and the Borghese Gallery.