Cinema in Orto

An open-air cinema among the plants of the Botanical Garden

Every summer, the Cavea of the "Pietro Castelli" Botanical Garden, the historic garden of the University of Messina founded in the 17th century, transforms into a charming open-air cinema arena. Cinema in Orto is an open-air film festival that, for over ten years, has offered the Messina public a selection of rare, restored, or lesser-known films, with a special focus on 20th-century Italian and Sicilian cinema.

Art-house cinema, not blockbusters

The festival does not chase commercial hits; its identity lies in the rediscovery of often-forgotten films, from masterpieces of Neorealism to popular comedies, as well as films shot in Sicily or linked to local actors and crews. Over the years, the festival has paid tribute to cinema figures connected to the city of the Strait, from Messina-born actors to local directors and productions, returning to the public a cinematic heritage that would otherwise be difficult to see on the big screen.

The atmosphere of the evenings

Screenings are held in the Cavea, the open-air amphitheater of the Botanical Garden, surrounded by palms, succulents, and Mediterranean flora. The garden opens in the evening and screenings begin at 9:00 PM. Admission is free, but for safety reasons, access is limited to a maximum number of participants: once capacity is reached, the gate is closed, so it is advisable to arrive early.

Organizers

Cinema in Orto is promoted by the "Pietro Castelli" Botanical Garden and Cineforum Orione, in collaboration with the Antonello da Messina Association. The event takes place in the heart of Messina, the capital of its province in Sicily, and has become a staple of the city's cultural summer, blending cinema, nature, and historical memory in a unique setting.

• Where: Cavea of the "Pietro Castelli" Botanical Garden, Messina
• When: Between late June and early July
• Time: Screenings at 9:00 PM, garden opens in the evening
• Admission: Free, limited capacity