Il Cinema in Piazza at Monte Ciocci (Valle Aurelia)

Cinema under the stars at Monte Ciocci

During the warmest time of the year, the Parco di Monte Ciocci, overlooking Valle Aurelia in the Aurelio district, becomes one of Rome's most beloved open-air cinema arenas. Every evening from Wednesday to Sunday at 9:15 PM, a large screen lights up within the park, and hundreds of spectators settle onto the grass, folding chairs, and blankets to enjoy high-quality screenings. Admission is free and open to all, with no reservation required—a hallmark of the event.

One of the three Il Cinema in Piazza arenas

The Monte Ciocci arena is one of the three Roman venues for the Il Cinema in Piazza festival, alongside the historic screen at Piazza San Cosimato in Trastevere and the Parco della Cervelletta in Tor Sapienza. The event, spread across different parts of the city, brings great cinema out of theaters and into public spaces, returning a vibrant evening meeting place to Rome's neighborhoods for families, young people, cinephiles, and curious passersby.

A project by the Fondazione Piccolo America

The festival is conceived, organized, and promoted by the Fondazione Piccolo America, an organization born from the experience of a group of young Romans that has become a benchmark for the city's cinematic culture. Films are presented in their original version with Italian subtitles, while Italian productions are often accompanied by English subtitles—a choice that makes the evenings accessible to international audiences and enhances the project's authentic cinephile spirit. Each edition alternates between restored classics, genre cinema, animation, and contemporary works, featuring numerous meetings and guests who engage with the audience.

Atmosphere and audience

The strength of Monte Ciocci lies in the combination of high-quality programming and the park's informal atmosphere: you arrive with a blanket in your backpack and a folding chair over your shoulder, sit outdoors, and share the viewing experience with hundreds of others. It is an experience that weaves together cinephilia and neighborhood social life, drawing thousands of spectators to Valle Aurelia every summer. The Municipality of Rome supports the event, which has become a staple of the Estate Romana (Roman Summer).

How to enjoy the evenings

• Screenings every evening from Wednesday to Sunday at 9:15 PM.
• Free admission, no reservation required.
• Films in original version with subtitles.
• Retrospectives, previews, and meetings with directors and actors.
• We recommend bringing a blanket or a folding chair for comfort.