Hip Hop Cinefest
The film festival born from hip hop culture, in Rome
About Hip Hop Cinefest
Hip Hop Cinefest: Cinema born from hip hop culture
Hip Hop Cinefest is the only Italian festival, and one of the few worldwide, entirely dedicated to cinematic works written, produced, and directed by those immersed in hip hop culture. Documentaries, short films, features, music videos, series, and experimental projects intertwine to explore rap, writing, breaking, deejaying, and street art in a continuous dialogue between moving images and urban culture. The event takes place in Rome, making the city's eastern suburbs its beating heart.
The 2026 edition at Fusolab 2.0
The sixth edition was held on May 15th and 16th, 2026, at Fusolab 2.0, located at via della Bella Villa 94 in the Alessandrino district. Following an initial online viewing phase for selected works, the Roman finale brought together two days of international screenings, discussions, and celebrations. The screen featured titles from Italy, France, Germany, and Spain, including documentaries dedicated to writing and the history of hip hop cinema, accompanied by Q&As with the directors.
Bilingual panels, workshops, and exhibitions
In addition to screenings, the festival offers a rich program of parallel activities: bilingual panels on themes such as Hip Hop and Urban Resistance and Writing the City, featuring a comparison between Madrid and Rome, music production workshops, photography and street art exhibitions, live painting, and swap markets. The event also features freestyle battles and DJ sets that close out each evening on the rooftop, turning the festival into a true collective celebration.
Rome and the Alessandrino district
Hosting an urban film festival in Alessandrino, a district in Rome's eastern periphery, is no coincidence: hip hop culture has deep roots here, and Fusolab 2.0 has long served as a cultural and social hub for the area. The event, supported by the Lazio Region, highlights the languages of new generations and restores a leading role to the suburbs within the capital's cultural landscape.
An international and accessible event
With entries from dozens of countries and international guests, Hip Hop Cinefest acts as a bridge between urban scenes worldwide. Most events are free to attend, and award ceremonies and conferences are streamed online, allowing those unable to attend in person to follow the festival. It is a project that unites cinema, music, visual arts, and educational commitment into a single experience.
Hip Hop Cinefest — edition 2026
Following the online viewing phase of the selected works, the finale of the sixth edition enlivened Fusolab 2.0 for two intense days. Friday was dedicated to afternoon and evening screenings, featuring the Hip Hop and Urban Resistance panel and the rooftop afterparty; Saturday offered six blocks of screenings, music production workshops, the Made With Italy and Writing the City panels (comparing Madrid and Rome), followed by the final award ceremony and closing party.
Programme Hip Hop Cinefest 2026
Friday, May 15th
- 15:30-21:30 — Art Expo (Italian Hip Hop Museum, photography, street art) and Swap Market
- 16:00-19:00 — Block 1: Breghenens 2 (Italy) with director Q&A, DJ Mehdi: Made in France (France)
- 19:00-20:00 — Bilingual panel Hip Hop and Urban Resistance with Kento
- 20:00-21:30 — Block 2: Whole Train (Germany) with director Q&A
- 20:00-22:30 — Cinema-themed freestyle battle
- from 22:30 — Rooftop party with Back Yard Dj Brush and Il Turco
Saturday, May 16th
- 10:00-20:30 — Market with over 23 exhibitors, Art Expo, and live painting
- 11:00-12:30 — Short film Block 3
- 13:00-14:50 — Block 4 (including Wicket)
- 15:00-16:50 — Block 5: Roots of the Culture, Nouns Breakers, Once Upon a Town
- 15:00-19:30 — Beat Mates Lab, free music production workshop
- 16:30-17:10 — Made With Italy panel
- 17:30-19:00 — Block 6: Madrid Graffiti Origins
- 18:40-19:40 — Writing the City panel, Madrid vs Rome
- 20:30 — Hip Hop Cinefest 2026 Award Ceremony
- from 22:00 — Rooftop party "Vinyl Only - Latin Flava"
Highlights Hip Hop Cinefest 2026
- Sixth edition of the only Italian festival dedicated to hip hop cinema
- International screenings from Italy, France, Germany, and Spain with director Q&As
- Bilingual panels on writing, street art, and urban culture (Madrid vs Rome)
- Free Beat Mates Lab music production workshop
- Exhibitions, live painting, markets, and swap market
- Final award ceremony and rooftop party with international DJs
Prices Hip Hop Cinefest 2026
Practical information — Hip Hop Cinefest
Location
The final days take place at Fusolab 2.0, via della Bella Villa 94, Alessandrino district, Rome (Lazio Region).
How to get there
Fusolab 2.0 is accessible via public transport using Metro C (Alessandrino or Torre Spaccata stops) and local bus lines. By car, it is located in the eastern suburbs of the city, with parking available on nearby streets.
Admission
Most events are free to attend; some evening rooftop activities are reserved for members. Award ceremonies and conferences are streamed on the festival's official channels.
Information
Full program and updates are available on the official website: hiphopcinefest.org.
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Where does it take place — Hip Hop Cinefest
Fusolab 2.0
Via della Bella Villa 94, 00171 Roma