Respiri Festival
The contemporary dance and auteur theatre festival at the Molinari Art Center in Rome
About Respiri Festival
Respiri Festival: New dance at the Molinari Art Center
The Respiri Festival is a showcase dedicated to contemporary dance and auteur theatre, organized by the Molinari Art Center in Rome, in the heart of the Marconi-Portuense district. The evenings take place at the TeatroLibero on Via Antonino Lo Surdo 51, a venue that has become a landmark for choreographic research in the capital over the years. The festival's name perfectly captures its ambition: to breathe in air filled with art, giving space and visibility to the languages of the body and the stage.
A showcase for emerging choreographers
The project was born with a clear goal: to offer young choreographers and emerging artists a stage to present a finished piece or a work-in-progress that tells the story of their creative journey. Artistically directed by Giacomo Molinari, the festival weaves together dance, theatre, and music in a dialogue of cross-pollination, fitting into the broader cultural container that the center dedicates to the performing arts each year.
The Frame choreographic contest
The beating heart of the festival is the Frame choreographic contest, which takes place over several sessions throughout the season. During the competition evenings, selected choreographers compete before a jury of critics and the audience in the hall. Important awards are up for grabs: the Critics' Prize, awarded by the specialized jury, and the Frame Prize, decided by the audience's vote via smartphone. The Grand Prize offers a choreographic residency at the Molinari Art Center, with the possibility of staging a new show in the following season: a concrete opportunity for professional growth for those taking their first steps in the world of auteur dance.
Rome, Municipality XI, and the Lazio Region
The Respiri Festival is rooted in the cultural fabric of the city of Rome, particularly Municipality XI, which grants its patronage alongside the Municipality of Rome and the Lazio Region. The event also enjoys the support of the Italian Dancers Association and media partner RadioDanza. In a city often dominated by large institutional venues, the Molinari Art Center's festival represents a local hub for contemporary dance, capable of bringing the neighborhood audience closer to a demanding and vital art form.
Why attend
- Programming entirely dedicated to contemporary dance and auteur theatre
- The Frame contest with Critics' Prize and Audience Prize
- Free admission to all events
- An intimate and welcoming space in the Marconi-Portuense district
- Patronage of Municipality XI, the Municipality of Rome, and the Lazio Region
Respiri Festival — edition 2026
Respiri Festival 2026: The third edition
The third edition of the Respiri Festival took place from February 7 to May 23, 2026, at the TeatroLibero of the Molinari Art Center in Rome, as part of the Contaminazioni cultural project. The program featured nine choreographic events, four of which were dedicated to the Frame contest, with young authors competing for the prizes on offer.
The festival kicked off on Sunday, February 22, with the contemporary dance show Colours turn Grey, written and choreographed by Elena Pellegrino. The calendar continued with the contest evenings, including the Fourth Frame on Saturday, May 9, where three choreographers competed before the jury and the audience. As per the festival's tradition, the Critics' Prize and the Frame Prize (voted for by the audience via smartphone) were awarded, while the Grand Prize offered a choreographic residency at the Molinari Art Center.
The 2026 edition confirmed the support of the Municipality of Rome, Municipality XI, the Lazio Region, and the Italian Dancers Association, with RadioDanza as media partner. Free admission to all events.
Programme Respiri Festival 2026
2026 Program (third edition)
- Sunday, February 22, 6:00 PM — Colours turn Grey, choreography by Elena Pellegrino (contemporary dance), opening show
- Saturday, May 9, 6:00 PM — Fourth Frame: three choreographers competing for the contest prizes
- Nine choreographic events in total, four of which dedicated to the Frame contest, from February to May
The full program, including the list of shows and selected artists, was published on the website www.molinariartcenter.com.
Highlights Respiri Festival 2026
- Inaugural show Colours turn Grey by Elena Pellegrino
- Frame choreographic contest in four sessions
- Critics' Prize and Frame Prize (audience vote via smartphone)
- Grand Prize: choreographic residency at the Molinari Art Center
Prices Respiri Festival 2026
Practical information — Respiri Festival
Location
TeatroLibero at the Molinari Art Center, Via Antonino Lo Surdo 51, 00146 Rome (Marconi-Portuense district, Municipality XI).
How to get there
By metro: Line B, Marconi stop, a few minutes' walk away. By train: Roma Trastevere station, then bus or a short car ride. By car: Marconi exit from the Circonvallazione Ostiense.
Tickets
Free admission to all shows; seating is limited, and reservations are recommended. For information: tel. +39 06 5574685, email [email protected]. Detailed program and updates at www.molinariartcenter.com.
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Where does it take place — Respiri Festival
TeatroLibero del Molinari Art Center
Via Antonino Lo Surdo 51, 00146 Roma