Nouvelle Vague sul Tevere
The French film festival at the Casa del Cinema in Rome
About Nouvelle Vague sul Tevere
French cinema in the heart of Rome
Every summer, at the beginning of July, the Casa del Cinema in Villa Borghese becomes the meeting point for French cinematic culture and the Roman public. Nouvelle Vague sul Tevere is the festival that, under the summer sky of the Ettore Scola open-air theater, presents a selection of great classics and contemporary works of French cinema, screened in their original language with Italian subtitles. The event takes place in the city of Rome, capital of the Lazio region, and has become a staple of the Roman summer.
A bridge between Rome and Paris
At the heart of the project is a dialogue with the Ville Lumière: the festival is twinned with the Parisian event Dolcevita-sur-Seine, which, during the same period, brings Italian cinema to the Arènes de Lutèce in Paris. The two events exchange live links and guests, celebrating the historic friendship between the two capitals. Each evening is accompanied by presentations from directors, actors, and cultural figures who introduce the films and meet the audience.
More than just screenings
In addition to the evening screenings, Nouvelle Vague sul Tevere enriches its program with initiatives dedicated to new French cinema:
- the "10 to Watch" photo exhibition, created with the support of Unifrance, dedicated to the emerging faces of French cinema;
- the Ristretto short film competition, reserved for students of the Fémis in Paris and the Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia in Rome;
- meetings, tributes, and conversations with the authors.
Free admission under the stars
One of the festival's strengths is its accessibility: screenings at the Ettore Scola open-air theater are free of charge until all available seats are filled. In a relaxed atmosphere, immersed in the greenery of Villa Borghese, the public can rediscover masterpieces of the Nouvelle Vague and French cinema of yesterday and today, from François Truffaut to Jacques Demy, up to the new generations of directors.
A fixture of Roman culture
Organized by the companies Lutetia and Palatine in collaboration with the Fondazione Cinema per Roma and with the support of Roma Capitale, the festival is part of the city's major summer calendar. For film enthusiasts, the French community in Rome, and tourists visiting Lazio, Nouvelle Vague sul Tevere is the perfect opportunity to combine an evening outdoors with the discovery of the best French cinematic production.
Nouvelle Vague sul Tevere — edition 2026
5th edition: 70 years of the Rome-Paris twinning
The 2026 edition of Nouvelle Vague sul Tevere had a special character, dedicated to the seventy years of the exclusive twinning between Rome and Paris signed in 1956. From July 2 to 6, the Casa del Cinema hosted five nights of screenings, meetings, and events dedicated to French cinema, in dialogue with the twin festival Dolcevita-sur-Seine, which simultaneously brought Rome to Paris.
The evenings were accompanied by journalist Aureliano Tonet (Le Monde), while the Casa del Cinema hosted the "10 to Watch" photo exhibition dedicated to the new faces of French cinema, created with the support of Unifrance.
Programme Nouvelle Vague sul Tevere 2026
2026 Program - Ettore Scola Open-Air Theater
- Thursday, July 2, 9:00 PM - Les Demoiselles de Rochefort by Jacques Demy, with the presence of singer Clara Luciani.
- Friday, July 3, 9:30 PM - Le Ballon rouge by Albert Lamorisse, with director Valentine Cadic.
- Saturday, July 4, 9:30 PM - Vénus Beauté (Institut) by Tonie Marshall, with a tribute to Nathalie Baye.
- Sunday, July 5, 9:30 PM - Les Immortelles by Caroline Deruas, with the director and actress Lena Garrel.
- Monday, July 6, 9:00 PM - Les Quatre Cents Coups by François Truffaut.
Also on the program is the "10 to Watch" photo exhibition (Unifrance) and the Ristretto short film competition, reserved for students of the Fémis in Paris and the Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia in Rome.
Highlights Nouvelle Vague sul Tevere 2026
- Special edition for the 70th anniversary of the Rome-Paris twinning (1956-2026)
- Five nights of French cinema in original language with subtitles
- Tribute to Nathalie Baye and guests such as Clara Luciani, Valentine Cadic, Caroline Deruas, and Lena Garrel
- Presentation by Aureliano Tonet (Le Monde)
- "10 to Watch" photo exhibition and Ristretto short film competition
- Live links with the twin festival Dolcevita-sur-Seine in Paris
Prices Nouvelle Vague sul Tevere 2026
Practical information — Nouvelle Vague sul Tevere
Location
Casa del Cinema, Teatro all'aperto Ettore Scola, Largo Marcello Mastroianni 1, Villa Borghese, 00197 Rome.
How to get there
The Casa del Cinema is located inside Villa Borghese, a few minutes' walk from the Spagna and Flaminio Metro A stations. Numerous bus lines serve the Piazzale Flaminio and Via Veneto area. Driving is discouraged due to the difficulty of parking in the historic center.
Tickets
Free admission until all available seats are filled. Films are screened in their original French language with Italian subtitles.
When
The festival takes place every year at the beginning of July, with evening screenings starting at 9:00 PM.
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Where does it take place — Nouvelle Vague sul Tevere
Casa del Cinema - Teatro all'aperto Ettore Scola, Villa Borghese
Largo Marcello Mastroianni 1, 00197 Roma