RENDEZ-VOUS – New French Cinema Festival
The best of new French cinema in Rome, in original language
About RENDEZ-VOUS
RENDEZ-VOUS, the spring of French cinema in Rome
Every April, RENDEZ-VOUS turns Rome into the Italian capital of new French cinema. Promoted by the Institut français Italia on behalf of the French Embassy in Italy, in co-organization with Unifrance, the festival showcases the latest titles from French production, many of which are Italian premieres. All films are screened in their original version with Italian subtitles, ensuring an authentic experience true to the directors' vision.
Roman venues: Trastevere and the historic center
The festival's heart beats in two iconic cultural landmarks. The Cinema Nuovo Sacher, Nanni Moretti's theater on Largo Ascianghi in the Trastevere district, hosts the main screenings and gala evenings. The Institut français Centre Saint-Louis, located in the heart of Rome's historic center just steps from Piazza Navona, hosts meetings, round tables, and an animation section dedicated to younger audiences. Rome, within the Metropolitan City of Rome Capital and the Lazio region, serves as the opening stage for a festival that then continues in other Italian cities.
A festival that spans Italy
RENDEZ-VOUS is more than just a Roman event: after the capital, the festival brings new French cinema to Turin, Milan, Bologna, Florence, Naples, and Palermo, with dedicated selections and guests. It acts as a cultural bridge between France and Italy, renewing the dialogue between the two film industries every year through direct encounters between French and Italian directors.
Guests, juries, and awards
Each edition builds a rich program of meetings with directors, actresses, and actors who attend in person to present their films. Alongside the official selection, there is a Youth Jury composed of university students from various Italian cities and the Prix Palatine, which involves students from EsaBac high schools. Reflective moments like the Demain en Vues round table complete an event that blends discovery, education, and entertainment.
Why it's worth attending
For lovers of auteur cinema, RENDEZ-VOUS is the perfect opportunity to preview the films that will define the season, often in the presence of their stars. It is an unmissable appointment of the Roman spring, attracting cinephiles, students, and curious viewers alike to some of the city's most beautiful theaters.
RENDEZ-VOUS — edition 2026
For five days, Rome paid tribute to new French cinema with the 16th edition of RENDEZ-VOUS, promoted by the Institut français Italia. Thirteen titles in original version with subtitles, numerous meetings with directors and performers, and the honorary presence of Isabelle Huppert enlivened the halls of Cinema Nuovo Sacher and Centre Saint-Louis. Among the novelties of the edition were the Youth Jury formed by university students from various Italian cities and the 'Demain en Vues' round table. After Rome, the festival continued in Turin, Milan, Bologna, Florence, Naples, and Palermo.
Programme RENDEZ-VOUS 2026
Opening — April 7
The festival opened at Cinema Nuovo Sacher with La donna più ricca del mondo (La Femme la plus riche du monde) by Thierry Klifa, in the presence of the director and the lead actress Isabelle Huppert, guest of honor of the 16th edition.
Program — April 7-11
Thirteen French film premieres in original version with Italian subtitles. Featured titles included:
- Dossier 137 by Dominik Moll, a thriller set in the heart of French institutions, presented on April 9 at Cinema Nuovo Sacher by the director alongside lead actress Léa Drucker, winner of the César for Best Actress.
- L'Affaire Bojarski by Jean-Paul Salomé.
- Des Preuves d'Amour by Alice Douard.
- Love Me Tender by Anna Cazenave Cambet.
- Coutures by Alice Winocour.
- Classe Moyenne by Antony Cordier.
- Allora balliamo (Partir un jour) by Amélie Bonnin, also presented to the Youth Jury.
Closing — April 11
The closing night featured C'était mieux demain.
Meetings and special sections
- 'Demain en Vues' round table (April 10, Rome), with young directors discussing gender, generations, and the environment.
- Youth Jury composed of university students from various Italian cities.
- Prix Palatine in collaboration with students from EsaBac high schools.
- Animation section for children at the Centre Saint-Louis.
Other cities
After Rome, the festival visited Turin (Cinema Classico), Milan (Anteo Palazzo del Cinema), Bologna (Cinema Modernissimo), Florence (Spazio Alfieri), Naples (CasaCinema), and Palermo (Rouge et Noir).
Highlights RENDEZ-VOUS 2026
Prices RENDEZ-VOUS 2026
Practical information — RENDEZ-VOUS
Where
Cinema Nuovo Sacher, Largo Ascianghi 1, 00153 Rome (Trastevere) and Institut français Centre Saint-Louis, Largo Toniolo 20/22, 00186 Rome (historic center).
How to get there
Cinema Nuovo Sacher is located in Trastevere, accessible via trams 3 and 8 (Trastevere/Belli stop) and various bus lines. The Centre Saint-Louis is in the historic center, near Piazza Navona and Largo di Torre Argentina.
Tickets and language
All screenings are in the original French version with Italian subtitles. Booking is done online; the detailed program and access procedures are published on the Sacher Film and Institut français Italia websites.
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Where does it take place — RENDEZ-VOUS
Cinema Nuovo Sacher e Institut français Centre Saint-Louis
Largo Ascianghi 1, 00153 Roma