Cinema al Verde

A cinema under the stars in the greenery of Pontecagnano Faiano

As evening falls and the heat of the Sele Plain subsides, the Eco-Archaeological Park of Pontecagnano Faiano takes on a new look: a large screen, chairs arranged on the grass, and the sound of cicadas accompanying the opening credits. This is how Cinema al Verde has been lighting up the nights for over a decade, becoming one of the most recognizable summer events in the municipality of Pontecagnano Faiano, in the province of Salerno, in the heart of Campania.

This is not your typical summer arena replaying the hits of the past season. Here, the selection is thoughtful and often thought-provoking, bridging the gap between the most discussed films of recent months and the great classics of cinema history, brought back to the big screen for those who have never seen them outside of a television set.

The origins: a response to the closure of the local cinema

The initiative was born in 2013 from the synergy between the Mascheranova association and the Legambiente OcchiVerdi Circle, as a reaction to the closure of the town's movie theater. From that void, a simple and stubborn idea was born: if the cinema closes, the cinema goes outside, into a public park, returning a space for collective viewing to the community. Within a few seasons, the festival became a neighborhood ritual and a small cultural stronghold, capable of attracting viewers from Salerno and the entire Picentini coastal area.

The Eco-Archaeological Park, a place that tells the story of the Picentini area

The choice of location is no coincidence. Pontecagnano Faiano stands on one of the most important archaeological sites in Campania: this was the site of the ancient Etruscan-Campanian settlement that later became the Picentini city, evidenced by necropolises and artifacts preserved in the local National Archaeological Museum. The Eco-Archaeological Park combines this historical layering with an environmental vocation, with large green spaces returned to the citizenry. Watching a film in this context adds an extra dimension to the evening: you are sitting between archaeology and nature, in an area designed for outdoor social interaction.

Auteur programming with a recurring theme

Each edition revolves around a theme that guides the choice of titles. In 2025, the common thread was anti-militarism and peace; in 2026, the chosen word is «Contrast», a polysemic term interpreted in an artistic, social, and political key: contrast as a visual hallmark of cinema, but also as opposition, dissent, and a gaze that refuses to conform.

The program thus alternates between contemporary cinema and repertory films: from award-winning festival films to masterpieces by Lynch, Bergman, Cronenberg, or Mel Brooks, as well as investigative documentaries offered with free admission to reach the widest possible audience.

More than just screenings: critical introductions and debates

One of the elements that distinguishes Cinema al Verde is the work of guiding the viewing experience, curated together with the Cineclub Arci Fitzcarraldo. Each film is introduced, and at the end, a space for discussion with the audience is opened. It is a way to transform the evening from passive consumption into an opportunity for dialogue, highly appreciated by the most loyal spectators.

• Critical introductions before the screening
• Post-screening debates open to everyone
• Free admission evenings dedicated to investigative documentaries
• Bi-weekly formula: every Monday and every Thursday

Who organizes and supports the event

The festival is curated by the Mascheranova and Foroscenica (Teatro Mascheranova) associations together with the Legambiente OcchiVerdi Circle, in partnership with the Municipality of Pontecagnano Faiano and with the support of the Film Commission Regione Campania. This structure brings together theatrical associations, environmentalism, and local institutions, explaining the longevity of a project that is entirely self-produced.

Why it's worth going

Cinema al Verde is the classic initiative that tells you more about a territory than any guidebook: popular prices, an informal atmosphere, and a community that meets two evenings a week under the same screen. For those spending the summer between Salerno, the Coast, and the Cilento, it is also a great evening alternative to the beach nightlife, just minutes from the motorway exit and the Salerno-Costa d'Amalfi airport.