Cinema d'iDEA – Women's International Film Festival
The Rome-based international film festival directed by women
About Cinema d'iDEA
A women-led festival in the heart of Rome
Cinema d'iDEA – Women's International Film Festival is the annual event hosted in June by the Municipality of Rome, in the Lazio region: the first Italian festival entirely dedicated to international cinema directed by women. Born in 2017 with its first open-air screenings on Tiber Island, the festival has grown into a key reference point for emerging female directors, producers, and authors, with a selection spanning Iran, Palestine, China, Cuba, Spain, Germany, the UK, and Italy.
Organization and vision
The festival is directed by Patrizia Fregonese de Filippo and promoted by the Libera Università del Cinema, with the patronage of the Rome City Centre Municipality (Municipio I) and the support of industry associations such as ANAC and AUT. Its editorial line is proudly independent: the focus is on works outside commercial circuits, often produced with minimal resources in challenging contexts, where the directors' gaze becomes a tool for storytelling and testimony. The motto « Woman Life Freedom », inspired by the Iranian protests, has accompanied the festival for several editions now.
Venues: Trastevere and Testaccio
The festival takes place in two iconic districts of Rome's cultural and independent scene. The first part of the week is held at Il Cantiere, at via Gustavo Modena 92, in the heart of Trastevere; the second half moves to the Città dell'Altra Economia (CAE), located within the former slaughterhouse of Testaccio, where screenings are also held outdoors on summer evenings. In previous editions, the festival has also been hosted by ExtraLibera and the historic Cinema Azzurro Scipioni.
What to expect
- Feature Film Competition featuring debut and sophomore works by international female directors;
- Documentaries focused on investigative journalism and personal testimony;
- Short Film Marathons, music videos, and student works;
- Masterclasses and Q&As with the filmmakers in attendance;
- Poetry and Music Readings, featuring actors accompanied by live music;
- Round Tables on cinema as a tool for social change.
Awards
The jury presents awards for Best Film, Best Documentary, Best Short Film, Best Music Video, Best Soundtrack, Best Director, Best Cinematography, Best Actress, Best Screenplay, and Best Series, in addition to special mentions and the Courage Award. In recent years, the Sumud Award has been added, dedicated to those carrying out cultural activities under extreme conditions.
Why attend
It is a viewer-friendly festival: intimate screening rooms, filmmakers present in the audience, and debates that continue long after the credits roll. Visitors to Rome in June will find a concrete alternative to mass tourism here, in two neighborhoods—Trastevere and Testaccio—that offer some of the city's best trattorias and wine bars after the screenings. Admission to screenings is traditionally free until seats are filled, making the festival particularly accessible even for those visiting the city for just a few days.
Cinema d'iDEA — edition 2026
10th Edition: The courage of images
For its tenth anniversary, Cinema d'iDEA chose two precise focuses: Iranian cinema and Palestinian cinema. Artistic director Patrizia Fregonese de Filippo presented the edition as a poetic response to war, dedicating it to the journalists and authors killed in conflicts. The poster was designed by the street artist duo LeDiesis.
The first four days, from June 18th to 21st, were held at Il Cantiere, at via Gustavo Modena 92 in Trastevere; from June 22nd to 24th, the festival moved to the Città dell'Altra Economia, in the former slaughterhouse of Testaccio.
Programme Cinema d'iDEA 2026
Thursday, June 18th – Il Cantiere, Trastevere
Opening night featuring the premiere of the Iranian documentary « Second Breath » by Mojgan Ilanlou, regarding the treatment of women in Iran, and « Thank You for Banking with Us », the debut comedy by Palestinian director Laila Abbas. At the opening, actors Rita Pasqualoni, Romano Talevi, and Tiziana Bagatella read Iranian and Palestinian poems accompanied live by composer Tiziano Novelli.
June 19th to 21st – Il Cantiere
Screenings of the international competition: feature films, documentaries, and short films directed by women, with masterclasses and Q&As with the filmmakers in attendance.
Monday, June 22nd – Città dell'Altra Economia, Testaccio
Special evening dedicated to Palestine, starting at 7:00 PM. Presentation of the Sumud Award to Ezzaldeen Shalh, founder of the Gaza International Festival for Women's Cinema, accepted by Laila Abbas, under the patronage of the Palestinian Ministry of Culture. Poetry reading by Azadeh Bizargiti performed by Tiziana Bagatella. Followed by a marathon of short films from Iran, Cuba, Spain, China, Germany, the UK, and Italy, and the screening of the winning shorts from the Bookciak, Azione! 2025 competition, including works created by students from the Rebibbia prison.
June 23rd and 24th – Città dell'Altra Economia
Final competition screenings and closing night with the awards ceremony.
Highlights Cinema d'iDEA 2026
- 10th edition, « The Edition of Courage », focusing on Iranian and Palestinian cinema
- Premieres of « Second Breath » by Mojgan Ilanlou and « Thank You for Banking with Us » by Laila Abbas
- Sumud Award presented to the Gaza International Festival for Women's Cinema
- Iranian and Palestinian poetry readings with live music by Tiziano Novelli
- Shorts from Bookciak, Azione! and students from Rebibbia
- Poster designed by street artists LeDiesis
- Awards for Best Film, Documentary, Short Film, Director, Cinematography, Actress, Screenplay, Music Video, and Courage Award
Prices Cinema d'iDEA 2026
Practical information — Cinema d'iDEA
Getting there
Il Cantiere is located at via Gustavo Modena 92, in Trastevere: it can be reached via tram 8 (Trastevere/Mastai stop) or buses H and 780, or on foot from the Roma Trastevere station. The Città dell'Altra Economia is located in the former slaughterhouse complex of Testaccio (Largo Dino Frisullo), just a few minutes from the Piramide Metro B station and the tram 3 stop.
Tickets
Admission to screenings is generally free until capacity is reached; some special events may require accreditation. Information and accreditation are available at cinemadidea.com and via email at [email protected].
Tips
Evening screenings usually begin after sunset: it is advisable to arrive early, especially for opening and awards nights. For accommodation, Testaccio and Trastevere offer numerous options, but it is best to book well in advance for June.
Festival-goer photos
No photos yet. Share yours!
Share your photos
5 photos max, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Noticed an error or missing information?
Help us keep this listing up to date. Every proposal is verified by our team before publication.
Festival-goer reviews
No rating yet — be the first!
No comments yet. Be the first!
Were you there?
Share your experience with the community.
Where does it take place — Cinema d'iDEA
Il Cantiere (Trastevere) e CAE – Città dell'Altra Economia (Testaccio)
Via Gustavo Modena 92, 00153 Roma