Rome shines once again as the 20th edition of the Rome Film Fest officially opens at the Auditorium Parco della Musica Ennio Morricone, featuring a record-breaking red carpet stretching over 1,300 square meters.
The festival, directed by Paola Malanga, is chaired by jury president Paola Cortellesi, who playfully teased her husband, Riccardo Milani, director of the opening film La vita va così (That’s Life), screened out of competition. Set in Sardinia, the film tells the story of a small community torn between the dream of progress and the need to preserve its land and identity.
The opening ceremony, hosted by Ema Stokholma, welcomed a parade of stars from cinema, culture, and politics: among them Roberto Bolle, Virginia Raffaele, Marco Bellocchio, Diego Abatantuono, Christian De Sica, Luca Argentero, and Matteo Renzi.
Mayor Roberto Gualtieri described the event as “a popular and high-quality celebration,” featuring 163 films from 38 countries. The Auditorium transformed into a vibrant hub for the city, offering screenings and encounters across Rome. Meanwhile, the parallel section Alice nella città kicked off with Daniele Barbiero’s Squali (Sharks) and Ben Leonberg’s Good Boy, warmly received by younger audiences.
The evening concluded with a moving tribute to Claudia Cardinale, the legendary actress who passed away in September, remembered as a timeless symbol of strength, grace, and independence. Once again, Rome confirms itself as the capital of the silver screen.
Photo credits: Pexels
