Roma Cinema Arena
Great cinema under the stars at the Parco degli Acquedotti
About Roma Cinema Arena
Open-air cinema in the heart of the Parco degli Acquedotti
Every summer, the Parco degli Acquedotti in Rome's Municipio VII transforms into a grand open-air cinema. Nestled among the ancient Roman aqueducts that give the park its name, Roma Cinema Arena sets up a thousand-seat venue where audiences can enjoy a film under the stars every night. In 2026, the festival, promoted by the Fondazione Cinema per Roma, reaches its fifth edition, cementing its status as one of the most beloved summer events in the Capital of the Lazio region.
Twenty-two nights with free admission
From July 1st to 22nd, 2026, twenty-two screenings are scheduled, one every evening starting at 9:15 PM. Admission is completely free until all seats are filled: no reservation is required, simply arrive at the arena. All films are screened in their original language with Italian subtitles, a choice that brings the audience closer to the authentic essence of the works and makes it a valuable opportunity for international visitors living in or traveling to Rome.
Cinema presented by its protagonists
The strength of the event lies in the presence of directors, actors, artists, and set designers who introduce the films and engage with the audience. The fifth edition opens with a tribute to Ettore Scola, marking the tenth anniversary of the director's passing, with his daughter Silvia Scola presenting the inaugural evening. Over the three weeks, the program alternates between great Italian and international classics—from the masterpieces of Visconti and De Sica to Hollywood icons—as well as contemporary titles and current-affairs documentaries.
Great classics and new discoveries
The program spans various genres and eras: from masterpieces of Italian comedy to auteur cinema, and from Hollywood musicals to family adventure films. Some evenings also feature films accompanied by Italian Sign Language (LIS) to ensure full accessibility. The lineup includes works by Luchino Visconti, Vittorio De Sica, Massimo Troisi, Wim Wenders, Robert Zemeckis, and many others.
A park between history and nature
The setting is the extraordinary Parco degli Acquedotti, a protected area within the Appia Antica Regional Park, crossed by the monumental remains of seven ancient aqueducts, including the Acquedotto Felice and the Acquedotto Claudio. Watching a screening with these thousand-year-old arches in the background makes Roma Cinema Arena a unique experience, blending the magic of the big screen with the beauty of Rome's historical and landscape heritage. The festival is part of the Vivi il Cinema program of the Estate Romana and is one of the city's premier free summer arenas.
Roma Cinema Arena — edition 2026
Roma Cinema Arena 2026
From July 1st to 22nd, 2026, the Parco degli Acquedotti hosts the fifth edition of Roma Cinema Arena, promoted by the Fondazione Cinema per Roma as part of the Vivi il Cinema program of the Estate Romana. A thousand-seat arena, twenty-two evening screenings with free admission, all in the original language with Italian subtitles. The festival opens with a tribute to Ettore Scola on the tenth anniversary of his passing and continues with a program that weaves together Italian and international classics, contemporary titles, and accessible evenings in LIS.
Programme Roma Cinema Arena 2026
Twenty-two nights, one film every evening at 9:15 PM, in the original language with Italian subtitles:
- July 1 — Dramma della gelosia by Ettore Scola, marking the tenth anniversary of the director's passing, introduced by Silvia Scola
- July 2 — Cast Away by Robert Zemeckis
- July 3 — Swept Away by Lina Wertmüller
- July 4 — Gilda by Charles Vidor
- July 5 — Moulin Rouge! by Baz Luhrmann
- July 6 — Wings of Desire by Wim Wenders
- July 7 — Two Women by Vittorio De Sica, introduced by Andrea and Brando De Sica
- July 8 — Stand by Me by Rob Reiner
- July 9 — One Hundred Steps by Marco Tullio Giordana
- July 10 — The Secret (O Agente Secreto) by Kleber Mendonça Filho
- July 11 — Young Frankenstein by Mel Brooks
- July 12 — I'm Starting from Three by Massimo Troisi
- July 13 — Paris, Texas by Wim Wenders
- July 14 — Il tempo che ci vuole by Francesca Comencini (evening with Italian Sign Language)
- July 15 — Mr Nobody Against Putin by David Borenstein and Pavel Talankin (evening with Italian Sign Language)
- July 16 — The Leopard by Luchino Visconti
- July 17 — Life of Pi by Ang Lee
- July 18 — The Family by Ettore Scola
- July 19 — The Seven Year Itch by Billy Wilder
- July 20 — The Stolen Children by Gianni Amelio
- July 21 — Gentlemen Prefer Blondes by Howard Hawks
- July 22 — Romanzo di un giovane povero by Ettore Scola, introduced by Isabella Ferrari and Silvia Scola
Highlights Roma Cinema Arena 2026
- Tribute to Ettore Scola on the tenth anniversary of his passing, with the inaugural evening on July 1st introduced by Silvia Scola
- Twenty-two masterpieces of Italian and international cinema in their original language with subtitles
- Evenings introduced by directors, actors, and artists, including the De Sica family and Isabella Ferrari
- Two accessible evenings with Italian Sign Language (July 14 and 15)
- Free admission within the monumental setting of ancient Roman aqueducts
Prices Roma Cinema Arena 2026
Practical information — Roma Cinema Arena
How to get there
The arena entrance is located on Via Lemonia, at the corner of Viale Appio Claudio, inside the Parco degli Acquedotti (Municipio VII).
- Metro: Line A, Giulio Agricola stop, just a few minutes' walk away.
- Bus: Line 590, Tuscolana/Appio Claudio stop.
- Car: Exit the Grande Raccordo Anulare towards Tuscolana/Cinecittà ; parking is available on nearby streets.
Hours and tickets
Screenings every evening at 9:15 PM, from July 1st to 22nd, 2026. Free admission until all seats (approx. 1,000) are filled. We recommend arriving early to secure a seat.
Tips
All films are in their original language with Italian subtitles. Bring a light sweater for the open-air evenings.
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Where does it take place — Roma Cinema Arena
Parco degli Acquedotti
Via Lemonia, angolo Viale Appio Claudio, 00174 Roma