The 2025 edition of the Festa del Cinema di Roma runs from 15 to 26 October (here you can download the programmes of both the Festa del Cinema di Roma and Alice nella città). As in the previous year, many CCS cinematographers are taking part with their work – ranging from short films and documentaries to feature films and TV series.
FUORI LA VERITÀ
Section: Grand Public
Directed by Davide Minnella
Cinematography by Marco Bassano CCS
18 October — Sala Sinopoli, 8:45 a.m. (Press — Accredited)
18 October — Sala Sinopoli, 8:45 p.m. (Public — €15, Accredited)
18 October — Giulio Cesare Hall 3, 9:30 p.m. (Public — €10, Accredited)
19 October — Giulio Cesare Hall 7, 11:30 a.m. (Accredited)
Cast: Claudio Amendola, Claudia Gerini, Claudia Pandolfi, Leo Gassmann, Sara Drago, Lorenzo Richelmy, Eleonora Gaggero, Alice Lupparelli, Massimo Wertmüller; Screenplay: Elena Giogli, Davide Minnella, Gaia Musacchio, Michele Furfari; Production: Italian International Film — Gruppo Lucisano; Distribution/Sales: PiperFilm / PiperPlay
Running time: 112’ (Italy, 2025)
A family decides to take part in a new game show that promises a prize of one million euros. There’s only one rule: they must always tell the truth. Secrets, grudges and revelations unsettle the family’s fragile balance, pushing everyone towards a crucial turning point.
2 CUORI E 2 CAPANNE
Section: Alice nella città – Concorso Panorama Italia
Directed by Massimiliano Bruno
Cinematography by Marco Bassano
23 October — Auditorium Conciliazione, 9:00 p.m.
Cast: Edoardo Leo, Claudia Pandolfi, Gianmarco Tognazzi, Giorgio Colangeli, Benedetta Tiberi, Francesca Alati, Marco Quaglia, Federica Cifola, Alessia Barela, Francesca Figus, Daniele Silvestri, Valerio Lundini, Betti Pedrazzi, Aleph Viola, Giulia Mei, Jekesa; Production: Italian International Film – Gruppo Lucisano, Vision Distribution
International sales: Vision Distribution [Italy]
Alessandra and Valerio couldn’t be more different. She’s nonconformist, socially engaged, a convinced feminist and allergic to cohabitation. He’s attractive, athletic, but rigid and bound by convention. They work in the same school — except she’s the students’ idol, and he’s the strict headmaster.
GLI OCCHI DEGLI ALTRI
Section: Concorso Progressive Cinema
Directed by Andrea De Sica
Cinematography by Gogò Bianchi CCS
18 October — Sala Petrassi, 11:00 a.m. (Press — Accredited)
18 October — Sala Petrassi, 6:45 p.m. (Public €15 — Accredited)
18 October — Giulio Cesare Hall 1, 7:15 p.m. (Public €10 — Accredited)
19 October — Giulio Cesare Hall 3, 11:30 a.m. (Accredited)
Cast: Filippo Timi, Jasmine Trinca, Matteo Olivetti, Anna Ferzetti, Vincenzo Crea and others; Screenplay: Gianni Romoli, Silvana Tamma, Andrea De Sica; Production: Vivo Film, Wildside, Vision Distribution — with the support of MiC; Distribution/Sales: Vision Distribution; Running time: 121’ (Italy, 2025)
In the wild beauty of an island owned by a wealthy marquis, Elena’s arrival sparks a passion that drifts from eroticism to obsession. A melodrama with noir overtones, loosely inspired by real events from the 1960s.
BREVE STORIA D’AMORE
Section: Grand Public
Directed by Ludovica Rampoldi
Cinematography by Gogò Bianchi CCS
16 October — Sala Petrassi, 11:00 a.m. (Press — Accredited)
16 October — Sala Sinopoli, 9:30 p.m. (Public — Accredited)
16 October — Giulio Cesare Hall 3, 9:45 p.m. (Public — Accredited)
17 October — Giulio Cesare Hall 3, 9:30 a.m. (Accredited)
Cast: Pilar Fogliati, Adriano Giannini, Andrea Carpenzano, Valeria Golino, Massimo De Lorenzo and others; Screenplay: Ludovica Rampoldi; Production: Indigo Film, HT Film, Rai Cinema — with the support of MiC; Distribution/Sales: 01 Distribution / True Colours; Running time: 98’ (Italy, 2025).
The story of two couples — thirty-somethings Lea and Andrea, and fifty-somethings Rocco and Cecilia. An apparently ordinary act of infidelity turns into a game of obsession and reckoning that draws in all the protagonists.
CINQUE SECONDI
Section: Grand Public
Directed by Paolo Virzì
Cinematography by Luca Bigazzi CCS
17 October — Auditorium Parco della Musica, Sala Sinopoli, 9:00 p.m. (Public — Accredited)
17 October — Giulio Cesare, Hall 3, 9:30 p.m. (Public — Accredited)
Cast: Valerio Mastandrea, Galatea Bellugi, Valeria Bruni Tedeschi, Ilaria Spada, Anna Ferraioli Ravel; Screenplay: Francesco Bruni, Carlo Virzì, Paolo Virzì; Production/Distribution: GreenBoo Production, Indiana Production, Motorino Amaranto, Vision Distribution; Running time: 105 minutes
Adriano is a solitary man living in the restored stables of Villa Guelfi, a decaying rural estate. One day, he discovers that a group of young people — students, recent graduates, agronomists — has illegally occupied the neighbouring villa to cultivate the abandoned vineyards and restore the land. Annoyed by the presence of these “intruders”, he initially tries to drive them away. Among them, however, is Matilde, who knows the history of the villa: a conflict grows between them that, as the seasons pass, turns into coexistence and, unexpectedly, into an alliance. Adriano, with his rough manner, becomes close to Matilde — who turns out to be pregnant by one of the young men — and, in his gruff way, ends up protecting her.
TUTTA VITA
Section: Freestyle Arts
Directed by Valentina Cenni
Cinematography by Luca Bigazzi
25 October — Maxxi, 7:30 p.m. €12 (Public — Accredited)
26 October — Giulio Cesare Hall 1, 4:30 p.m. (Public — Accredited)
With: Stefano Bollani, Enrico Rava, Paolo Fresu, Daniele Sepe, Antonello Salis, Ares Tavolazzi, Roberto Gatto, Matteo Mancuso, Christian Mascetta, Frida Bollani Magoni.
Pianist and composer Stefano Bollani brings together some of the leading figures of Italian jazz for a musical residency. Enrico Rava, Paolo Fresu, Daniele Sepe, Antonello Salis, Ares Tavolazzi and Roberto Gatto are joined by three young and promising talents — Matteo Mancuso, Christian Mascetta and singer-pianist Frida Bollani Magoni. For one week, the group lives and works together in a house-studio, turned for the occasion into a creative laboratory where music takes shape day after day.
LA DIASPORA DELLE VELE
Section: Proiezioni speciali
Directed by Francesca Comencini
Cinematography by Luca Bigazzi
23 October — Giulio Cesare Hall 7, 8:00 p.m. (Press — Accredited)
24 October — Teatro Studio Gianni Borgna, 8:00 p.m. (Public — Accredited)
26 October — Giulio Cesare Hall 7, 5:30 p.m. (Public — Accredited)
With: Felicia Simonetti, Eugenio Ottieri, Francesca Guasco, Gioacchino Celentano, Teresa Russo, Patrizia Mincione, Salvatore Polese, Natascia Falduto, Sarah Borriello, Omero Benfenati, Antonietta Esposito, Carmine Esposito, Nenzy Pinto, Carmela Tavassi, Giustino Peluso, Lorenzo Liparulo, Francesco Vinci, Giuseppe Leo, Antonella Esposito.
On 22 July 2024, the collapse of one of the balconies in the Vela Celeste building in Scampia caused the death of three people and injured twelve. After the tragedy, the regeneration plan for the Vele launched by the City of Naples underwent a drastic acceleration, and nearly 2,000 residents were evacuated and relocated to temporary housing, waiting to return to Scampia’s new district now under construction. With great sensitivity, the short film captures fragments of stories revealing the attachment, nostalgia, sense of belonging and deep solidarity of a community waiting to come together again.
HYPE (series)
Section: Alice nella città
Directed by Domenico Croce, Fabio Mollo
Cinematography by Michele Brandstetter CCS
24 October — Cinema Adriano, Hall 3, 6:30 p.m. (Public — Accredited)
Prodution: Rai Fiction, Fidelio
A teen drama set amid hype, social media and urban music: a class embarks on a journey of self-discovery through artistic ambitions, friendships and difficult choices.
ULTIMO SCHIAFFO
Section: Alice nella Città — Panorama Italia
Directed by Matteo Oleotto
Cinematography by Sandro Chessa CCS
18 October — Auditorium Conciliazione, 4:30 p.m.
Cast: Massimiliano Motta, Adalgisa Manfrida, Giuseppe Battiston, Giovanni Ludeno, Primož Pirnat; Screenplay: Matteo Oleotto, Pierpaolo Piciarelli, Salvatore De Mola; Production: Staragara I.T., Spok Films, Rai Cinema — with the support of FVG Film Commission and RTV Slovenija; Running time: 100’ (Italy/Slovenia, 2025)
In a small mountain village, two brothers look for a way to escape their frozen lives. When their dog Marlowe goes missing and a large reward is offered, they embark on a frantic chase for the money.
ALLEVI – BACK TO LIFE
Section: Proiezioni Speciali
Directed by Simone Valentini
Cinematography by Luca Ciuti CCS
18 October — Auditorium della Musica, Sala Sinopoli, 4:00 p.m. (Public — €12)
With: Giovanni Allevi, Dario Faini “Dardust”, Carolina Kostner, Nazzareno Allevi and others; Editing: Nicolò Diosi — Music: Giovanni Allevi; Production: Twister Film, Rai Cinema — Sales: Minerva Pictures Group; Running time: 88’ (Italy, 2025)
Giovanni Allevi’s return to the stage after his illness: an intimate account of his human and artistic journey towards a new life, through rehearsals, encounters and a renewed connection with his audience.
I LOVE LUCCA COMICS & GAMES
Section: Freestyle
Directed by Manlio Castagna
Cinematography by Luca Ciuti CCS
23 October — Giulio Cesare, Hall 1, 3:00 p.m. (Public — €10)
Editing: Ilaria Cimmino — Music: Fabio Antonelli; Production: All At Once — Distribution: I Wonder Pictures; Running time: 78’ (Italy, 2025)
A journey through Italy’s most beloved pop festival: authors, publishers, international guests and fans share the spirit and contagious energy of the Lucca Comics & Games community.
LA FORZA DEL DESTINO
Section: Freestyle (Arts)
Directed by Anissa Bonnefont
Cinematography by Martina Cocco CCS
16 October — MAXXI, 9:30 p.m. (Public — €12)
With: Riccardo Chailly, Leo Muscato, Anna Netrebko, Brian Jadge, Ludovic Tézier, Vasilisa Beržanskaja and others; Screenplay: Anissa Bonnefont, Myriam Weil — Editing: Guerric Catala; Running time: 92’ — Production: Federation Studios, MDE Films; Media partners: RAI Documentari / France Télévisions
Behind the scenes of the production that opened La Scala’s 2024/25 season. A collective portrait — without interviews or voice-over — capturing the anticipation, tensions and vitality of Teatro alla Scala.
UN NUOVO PAZIENTE
Section: Alice nella città – Onde corte
Directed by Stefano Grasso
Cinematography by Daria D’Antonio and Claudia Sicuranza
15 October — Auditorium Conciliazione, 4:00 p.m.
Cast: Vittoria Puccini, Anthony Gauffre, Giorgio Montanini, Andrea De Satti, Giacomo Leandro Palmieri, Giuditta Avossa, Fabrizio Lepori; Production: Lucky Red; Distributor: n/a.
Leonardo is the only child of two psychoanalyst parents and, for as long as he can remember, he’s been fascinated by the mysterious stream of strangers coming and going from their home. At just 8 years old, he realises that the most logical way to get more attention from mum and dad is to become one of their patients himself.
STELLA GEMELLA
Section: Grand Public
Directed by Luca Lucini
Cinematography by Davide Manca CCS
21 October — Auditorium della Musica, Sala Petrassi, 9:15 p.m. (Public €10 — Accredited)
21 October — Giulio Cesare, Hall 1, 9:45 p.m. (Public — €10)
Cast: Martina Gatti, Matteo Olivetti, Margherita Buy, Laura Morante, Eugenia Costantini, Jimi Durotoje, Alessio Moneta, Mattia Basciani, Paola Buratto, Fabrizio Colica; Screenplay: Davide Lisino, Luca Lucini, Greta Scicchitano, Marta Storti, Ilaria Storti; Production: Eagle Original Content, Rai Cinema — Running time: 109’
In a slow-paced provincial setting, dreams and ambitions collide with the frenetic rhythm of the capital: a romantic and generational story that contrasts two worlds.
ELENA DEL GHETTO
Section: Grand Public
Directed by Stefano Casertano
Cinematography by Maura Morales Bergmann CCS
22/10 — Auditorium della Musica Sala Petrassi, ore 21:00 (Pubblico — Accreditati)
22/10 — Giulio Cesare — Sala 1, ore 21:30 (Pubblico — Accreditati)
Cast: Micaela Ramazzotti, Valerio Aprea, Giulia Bevilacqua, Caterina De Angelis, Giovanni Calcagno, Claudia Della Seta, Gabriele Cirilli, Florence Nicolas; Screenplay: Stefano Casertano, Francesca Della Ragione, Alessandra Kre; Distribution: Adler Entertainment — Production: Titanus Production, Masi Film, Rai Cinema, M74, Sound Art 23, with the support of the Ministry of Culture; Running time: 98’
Rome, 1938–1943. The true story of Elena Di Porto, a rebellious and indomitable Jewish woman from Rome who defied Fascism and the Nazi occupation, becoming a key figure of the resistance in the ghetto.
L’ASCOLTO
Section: Alice nella città – Onde Corte – Proiezioni Speciali
Directed by Giorgio Diritti
Cinematography by Luca Nervegna CCS
15 October — Auditorium Conciliazione, 4:00 p.m.
Production: Aranciafilm with Rai Cinema, in collaboration with Fondazione Fare Cinema, Fondazione di Piacenza e Vigevano, XNL Piacenza; Running time: 20’.
The film adds a new chapter to the director’s exploration of themes concerning young people and their struggles to grow up in today’s society, often within dysfunctional families. Zombie was presented at the Venice Film Festival’s Settimana della Critica in 2020, and In famiglia at the Taormina Film Festival in 2022. The three short films were made together with the students of Marco Bellocchio’s advanced training courses “Fare Cinema”, now part of the broader “Bottega XNL” project.
SANDOKAN (serie)
Section: Freestyle, special event featuring a preview of the new adventure series inspired by Salgari’s novels
Directed by Jan Maria Michelini, Nicola Abbatangelo
Cinematography by Alessandro Pesci CCS, Valerio Evangelista CCS, Mirco Sgarzi CCS
17 October — Sala Sinopoli, 6:30 p.m., eps. 1–2 (Public — Accredited)
18 October — Teatro Olimpico Acea, 12:00 p.m., eps. 1–2 (Public — Accredited)
18 October — Teatro Olimpico Acea, 3:30 p.m., eps. 3–4 (Public — Accredited)
18 October — Teatro Olimpico Acea, 6:00 p.m., eps. 5–6 (Public — Accredited)
18 October — Teatro Olimpico Acea, 8:30 p.m., eps. 7–8 (Public — Accredited)
Cast: Can Yaman, Alessandro Preziosi, Ed Westwick, Samuel Kay (selection); Production: Lux Vide — Rai
TEMPI SUPPLEMENTARI
Sezione: Alice nella città – Onde corte
Regia: Matteo Memè
Direzione della fotografia: Claudia Sicuranza
TEMPI SUPPLEMENTARI
Sezione: Alice nella città – Onde corte
Regia: Matteo Memè
Direzione della fotografia: Claudia Sicuranza
18/10 — Auditorium Conciliazione, ore 12.00
Cast: Filippo Timi, Federico Cesari; Produzione: Diunamo, Wrong Child; Festival Distribution, Internationale Sales: Pathos Distribution.
The relationship between a father and a son, initially conflictual, then a challenge of love against time.
LA LEZIONE
Section: Grand Public
Director: Stefano Mordini
Director of Photography: Gigi Martinucci
First Camera Operator: Alessio Valori CCS
22/10 — Giulio Cesare Sala 3, 7:15 p.m. (Public — Accredited)
23/10 — Giulio Cesare Sala 3, 9:30 a.m. (Public — Accredited)
Cast: Matilda De Angelis, Stefano Accorsi, Eugenio Franceschini, Marlon Joubert (and others); Production: Picomedia — Distribution: Vision Distribution; Running time: 107’
A young lawyer from Trieste, after securing the acquittal of a professor accused of sexual assault, is hired by the same man to sue the university that reinstated him but pushed him to the margins. Meanwhile, the woman’s past comes back to haunt her.
COS TE COSTA
Section: Alice nella città – Corti senza confine
Director: Davide Del Degan
Cinematography: Debora Vrizzi
22/10 — Cinema Adriano – Theatre 3, 6:00 p.m.
Production: Galaxia Digital Video; Supported by the Autonomous Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia (“Shorts Without Borders” Call), Friuli Venezia Giulia Film Commission, Promoturismo Friuli Venezia Giulia; Distributor: n/a
The short explores physical and metaphysical boundaries, highlighting how they are distorted representations of human reality. Lena, a fifty-year-old woman, visits the Merna cemetery with her eight-year-old son Anton to pay tribute to a deceased relative, only to find herself confronted with the physical border dividing the cemetery between Italy and Slovenia.
MEJA, FRONTIERA
Section: Alice nella città – Shorts Without Borders
Director: Emma Jaay
Cinematography: Debora Vrizzi
22/10 — Cinema Adriano – Theatre 3, 6:00 p.m.
Production: Tucker Film; Supported by the Autonomous Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia, Friuli Venezia Giulia Film Commission, Promoturismo Friuli Venezia Giulia; Distributor: n/a
A “modern fable” set in Gorizia, the film explores the themes of roots and borders, offering a poetic reflection on human connection beyond geographical divisions.
