Guerre & Pace FilmFest

A one-of-a-kind festival

The Guerre & Pace FilmFest is one of the most original film events in the Lazio region: a festival entirely dedicated to cinema that explores war and, above all, peace. It takes place every summer in Nettuno, a coastal town in the Metropolitan City of Rome Capital, within the monumental setting of Forte Sangallo, a 16th-century fortress overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea that transforms into an open-air cinema for a week.

The event is organized by the Associazione Culturale Seven under the artistic direction of Stefania Bianchi, and over the years it has built a distinct identity: not a competitive festival of big names, but a forum for reflection, where every screening is preceded or accompanied by archival materials, meetings, and editorial presentations.

The choice of Nettuno: a place steeped in history

Nettuno is no ordinary venue for a festival of this kind. The area was the site of the Allied landings at Anzio-Nettuno in January 1944 and still houses the large American military cemetery, a destination for visits and commemorations. Programming films here that speak of conflicts, occupations, resistance, and reconstruction means creating a dialogue between the images and the physical memory of the site. The audience that climbs up to Forte Sangallo every evening does so in a context where history is anything but abstract.

How the program is structured

The evening structure is well-established and repeated throughout the week:

• Book presentations in the early evening, in collaboration with major Italian publishers, featuring authors, historians, and journalists;
• Footage from the Istituto Luce Cinecittà Historical Archive, selected each year around an anniversary or thematic thread;
• Short films, often documentaries, by Italian and international directors;
• Feature film of the night, with titles ranging from contemporary auteur cinema to recent international classics.

The evenings are hosted by journalists and critics who introduce the films and moderate discussions with guests: a formula that turns the screening into a moment of debate rather than just passive viewing.

A free and accessible festival

One of the hallmarks of the Guerre & Pace FilmFest is that it is completely free: all evenings are open to the public until seats are filled, with the option to reserve a spot through the organization's channels. It is a choice consistent with the festival's civic vocation, aiming to reach a wide audience, not just cinema buffs.

What to expect as a spectator

The atmosphere is that of a traditional summer arena, but with a program significantly more thought-provoking than the average. You arrive at sunset, walk through the fortress courtyard, and sit outdoors in the sea breeze. The evenings often run late, and it is not uncommon for debates to continue informally after the credits roll. It is a festival for those seeking substance: enthusiasts of contemporary history, readers of non-fiction, and viewers who appreciate documentaries.

Nettuno and the Roman coast in summer

The festival week can be an opportunity to discover the medieval village of Nettuno, the Sanctuary of Santa Maria Goretti, and the seafront, as well as nearby Anzio with its port and the ruins of Nero's imperial villa. In July, the coast south of Rome experiences its most intense season, filled with beach clubs, seafood restaurants, and a dense network of summer events that complement the festival.