Lo Spiraglio Mental Health Film Festival
The Roman festival exploring mental health through cinema at the MAXXI
About Lo Spiraglio
A festival that opens a window onto mental health
Lo Spiraglio Mental Health Film Festival is one of the most original cinematic events in Rome: a festival that uses film as a tool for knowledge, care, and dialogue surrounding the theme of psychological distress. Promoted by the ASL Roma 1 Mental Health Department together with Roma Capitale, and with nearly two decades of history, the event brings stories to the big screen every year that depict mental illness with respect, truth, and without sensationalist shortcuts.
The MAXXI, home of the festival
Since 2019, the festival has found its natural home at the MAXXI - National Museum of 21st Century Arts, in the Flaminio district, just a short walk from Ponte Milvio. The setting of the museum designed by Zaha Hadid gives the festival a contemporary dimension and opens the topic of mental health to the general public, students, and industry professionals. The event has become a key cultural fixture of the Roman spring, in the heart of the Municipality of Rome and the Lazio Region.
Competition and juries
The program revolves around a competition of Italian and international feature films and short films selected by a group that brings together film critics, mental health professionals, and service users: an integrated perspective that is the hallmark of Lo Spiraglio. The works are evaluated by a mixed jury and compete for various awards, including the Jorge Garcia Badaracco Award for Best Feature Film, the Fausto Antonucci Award for Best Short Film, the SAFIFO Award dedicated to transculturalism, the Luciano De Feo Award for scientific content, and the Audience Award.
Meetings, guests, and special awards
Alongside the screenings, Lo Spiraglio offers meetings, roundtables, and events that weave together cinema, television series, and scientific reflection, with the participation of directors, screenwriters, psychiatrists, and associations. Every year, the festival presents the Lo Spiraglio Award to a film figure who has portrayed the world of mental health with sensitivity: over the years, this has featured prominent Italian directors and actors.
A free and participatory festival
Lo Spiraglio offers free admission subject to availability, with the stated goal of breaking down stigma and restoring dignity and voice to those living with psychological distress. The direct involvement of service users in the juries and the creation of works makes the festival an authentically participatory experience, which goes beyond simple cultural programming to become a social and therapeutic project.
- Where: MAXXI, via Guido Reni 4A, Flaminio district, Rome
- When: In spring, usually in April
- Admission: Free subject to availability
- Organizers: ASL Roma 1 Mental Health Department and Roma Capitale
Lo Spiraglio — edition 2026
The sixteenth edition of Lo Spiraglio Mental Health Film Festival was held from April 15 to 18, 2026, at the MAXXI in Rome, under the scientific direction of Federico Russo and the artistic direction of Franco Montini. 6 feature films and 15 short films were in competition, alongside evenings of discussion bridging cinema, television series, and science. The Lo Spiraglio Award was presented to actor and director Rocco Papaleo.
Programme Lo Spiraglio 2026
Feature films in competition
- Nyumba by Francesco Del Grosso
- Fratelli di culla by Alessandro Piva
- Anime violate by Matteo Balsamo
- The Madmen coach by Carlo Liberatore
- Claudia fa brutti sogni by Eleonora Sardo and Marco Zenoni
- Davide e il Mostro by Francesco Squillace
Short films in competition (selection)
- I'm Not a Robot by Victoria Warmerdam, winner of the 2025 Oscar for Best Animated Short
- La clessidra umana by Elia Bei
- I colori dell'anima by Ruggiero Torre
- In Gaza Pietas by Diego Monfredini
- Dagon by Paolo Gaudio
- Devotee by Roberta Palmieri and Francesco Rubattu
Opening film (out of competition)
Persiane Blu by Maria Antonietta Mariani, produced with the Antonino Di Giorgio Day Center of ASL Roma 1.
Meetings and special events
- April 15: screening of Il maestro with director Andrea Di Stefano and psychiatrist Santo Rullo
- April 16, 4:00 PM: CAREmotions, with MSD Foundation and NABA
- April 17, 2:30 PM: Cittadino Aperto multi-family group
- April 18, 5:45 PM: Le libere donne with director Michele Soavi
Highlights Lo Spiraglio 2026
- Lo Spiraglio Award to actor and director Rocco Papaleo
- Among the competing shorts, I'm Not a Robot, 2025 Oscar winner for Best Animated Short
- Mixed jury chaired by Giovanni Callori di Vignale, with Arianna Marcorè, Ludovica Rampoldi, Rada Tomic, and Mimmo Verdesca
- Evening dedicated to the fiction Le libere donne with Michele Soavi
Prices Lo Spiraglio 2026
Practical information — Lo Spiraglio
How to get there
The MAXXI is located at via Guido Reni 4A, in the Flaminio district. By metro: Line A to Flaminio, then tram 2 towards Mancini (Apollodoro or Belle Arti stop). Bus lines 53, 168, 226, 280, and 910 serve the area. Those arriving by car will find parking nearby, but public transport is recommended.
Admission and reservations
Access to screenings is free subject to availability. For information and reservations, you can email [email protected]. The full program is published on the official website lospiragliofilmfestival.org.
Tips
Arrive a little early for the most anticipated screenings and guest meetings, which often sell out. The MAXXI also hosts permanent exhibitions and displays, ideal for completing your visit.
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Where does it take place — Lo Spiraglio
MAXXI - Museo nazionale delle arti del XXI secolo
Via Guido Reni 4A, 00196 Roma