Roma Cinema Arena at Parco degli Acquedotti
Cinema under the stars amidst the arches of ancient Roman aqueducts
About Roma Cinema Arena
Cinema under the stars at Parco degli Acquedotti
In the heart of Rome's VII Municipality, the Parco degli Acquedotti is one of the city's most evocative landscapes: the monumental arches of the Acqua Claudia and Acqua Felice cross the meadows of the Agro Romano, just a stone's throw from the Appian Way. Every summer, this setting turns into a grand open-air cinema arena with about a thousand seats, where audiences gather at sunset to watch films under the open sky, with ancient ruins as a backdrop.
The fifth edition: July 1st to 22nd, 2026
In 2026, Roma Cinema Arena reaches its fifth edition, featuring twenty-two free evening screenings, one every night from July 1st to 22nd. Screenings begin at 9:15 PM and always feature films in their original language with Italian subtitles—a choice that brings together cinephiles and curious viewers alike for a collective experience rarely found in the capital's summer programming.
A program of classics and new cinema
The festival alternates between restored great classics and more recent titles, with a special focus on the history of Italian cinema. Highlights from the lineup include:
- Dramma della gelosia by Ettore Scola, opening on July 1st;
- La ciociara by Vittorio De Sica and Il gattopardo by Luchino Visconti;
- Ricomincio da tre by Massimo Troisi and I cento passi by Marco Tullio Giordana;
- international titles such as Wings of Desire (Il cielo sopra Berlino) and Paris, Texas by Wim Wenders, Moulin Rouge! by Baz Luhrmann, and Life of Pi by Ang Lee.
Directors and actors presenting the films
Many evenings are accompanied by introductions from guests from the world of cinema: directors, actors, and figures linked to the films on the program share the genesis of the works with the audience. Some screenings include Italian Sign Language (LIS) interpretation, confirming the festival's commitment to accessibility.
Estate Romana and Municipality VII
Roma Cinema Arena is organized by the Fondazione Cinema per Roma as part of Estate Romana, the cultural program promoted by Roma Capitale, in collaboration with the VII Municipality. The festival is part of the open-air cinema circuit that enlivens the parks and squares of the Lazio region every July, offering a high-quality, free alternative for summer evenings.
Roma Cinema Arena — edition 2026
The 2026 edition of Roma Cinema Arena takes place from July 1st to 22nd in the Parco degli Acquedotti, with screenings every night at 9:15 PM in the open-air arena with about a thousand seats. The festival, free until capacity is reached, offers twenty-two films in their original language with Italian subtitles, alternating between restored masterpieces and contemporary cinema. Several evenings are introduced by guests from the film world, and some screenings include Italian Sign Language interpretation. The event is organized by the Fondazione Cinema per Roma as part of the Estate Romana of Roma Capitale.
Programme Roma Cinema Arena 2026
Twenty-two evening screenings, one every night at 9:15 PM from July 1st to 22nd, 2026:
- July 1 — Dramma della gelosia, by Ettore Scola (introduced by Silvia Scola)
- July 2 — Cast Away, by Robert Zemeckis
- July 3 — Swept Away (Travolti da un insolito destino...), by Lina Wertmüller
- July 4 — Gilda, by Charles Vidor
- July 5 — Moulin Rouge!, by Baz Luhrmann
- July 6 — Wings of Desire (Il cielo sopra Berlino), by Wim Wenders
- July 7 — Two Women (La ciociara), by Vittorio De Sica (introduced by Andrea and Brando De Sica)
- July 8 — Stand by Me, by Rob Reiner
- July 9 — One Hundred Steps (I cento passi), by Marco Tullio Giordana
- July 10 — The Secret Agent (O Agente Secreto), by Kleber Mendonça Filho
- July 11 — Young Frankenstein, by Mel Brooks
- July 12 — I'm Starting from Three (Ricomincio da tre), by Massimo Troisi
- July 13 — Paris, Texas, by Wim Wenders
- July 14 — Il tempo che ci vuole, by Francesca Comencini (with LIS translation)
- July 15 — Mr Nobody Against Putin, by David Borenstein and Pavel Talankin (introduced by Andrea Segre, with LIS translation)
- July 16 — The Leopard (Il gattopardo), by Luchino Visconti
- July 17 — Life of Pi, by Ang Lee
- July 18 — The Family (La famiglia), by Ettore Scola
- July 19 — The Seven Year Itch, by Billy Wilder
- July 20 — The Stolen Children (Il ladro di bambini), 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
- Twenty-two free evening screenings in an open-air arena with about a thousand seats
- Opening night on July 1st with Dramma della gelosia by Ettore Scola, introduced by Silvia Scola
- Great classics like The Leopard, Two Women, I'm Starting from Three, and One Hundred Steps
- Films always in original language with Italian subtitles
- Introductions by directors and actors and screenings with Italian Sign Language interpretation
Prices Roma Cinema Arena 2026
Practical information — Roma Cinema Arena
How to get there
Entrance from Via Lemonia, corner of Viale Appio Claudio. By metro: Line A, Giulio Agricola stop; by bus: line 590 (Tuscolana/Appio Claudio stop).
Hours and tickets
Screenings every evening at 9:15 PM, from July 1st to 22nd, 2026. Free admission subject to availability; arriving early is recommended. Films are in their original language with Italian subtitles.
Tips
Bring light clothing and, if possible, a cushion for extra comfort in the arena. Full program and updates are available on the Fondazione Cinema per Roma website.
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Where does it take place — Roma Cinema Arena
Parco degli Acquedotti
Via Lemonia, angolo Viale Appio Claudio, 00174 Roma