Sinfonie di Cinema

Auteur Cinema in the Heart of a Marche Village

Sinfonie di Cinema is one of the longest-running and most beloved cultural events in the Piceno area. Founded in 2001 on the initiative of the Municipality of Montefiore dell'Aso — part of the circuit of the Most Beautiful Villages in Italy, in the province of Ascoli Piceno, in the Marche region — the festival has built a precise identity over the years: to bring cinema culture closer to the public by allowing them to meet the stars of the industry up close.

The Artistic Direction of Giancarlo Basili

The soul of the festival is Giancarlo Basili, a set designer originally from the area and one of the most awarded in Italian cinema, who has created sets for directors such as Nanni Moretti, Gabriele Salvatores, and Marco Tullio Giordana. His presence guarantees a high-quality program each year, focusing on debut films by Italian directors, auteur films, and restored classics, often accompanied by direct dialogue with guests from the film world.

The Venue: The Cloister of the San Francesco Museum Complex

Screenings are held in the cloister of the San Francesco Museum Complex, an ancient Franciscan convent with a first cloister dating back to 1303 and a second to 1544. Today, it is a museum complex housing the Carlo Crivelli Hall, the Adolfo De Carolis Museum, the Domenico Cantatore Collection, and the Giancarlo Basili Scenic Design Documentation Center, inaugurated in 2006. Watching a film under the stars in this space is an experience that intertwines cinema, art, and heritage.

Evenings of Screenings and Encounters

The format includes five evenings, generally in mid-August, with evening screenings and opportunities for discussion with the filmmakers. Recent editions have hosted critics like Gianni Canova, directors of the caliber of Giorgio Diritti, Marco Tullio Giordana, and Gianluca Santoni, actors, screenwriters, and musicians who have accompanied some screenings live. Admission is free, in line with the event's educational mission.

A Festival Rooted in the Territory

Sinfonie di Cinema is organized by the Sinfonie di Cinema Cultural Association with the support of the Municipality of Montefiore dell'Aso, the Cassa di Risparmio di Fermo Foundation, the Marche Cultura Foundation, and Marche Film Commission. Included in the village's rich summer calendar — featuring flower festivals, food festivals, and reviews — it represents one of its most prestigious cultural events and an opportunity to discover Montefiore dell'Aso during its liveliest season.