A guide to Rome’s outdoor Cinemas in 2020

MOONLIT MOVIE NIGHTS

Nothing says summer in the Eternal City like a movie under the stars (preferably with a gelato in hand). This month, piazzas, lush villas, and Rome’s only island transform into open-air cinemas, showing everything from classic flicks, to kid-friendly favorites, to new releases–all in full compliance with the anti-covid measures. Read on for our top picks of outdoor flicks in the city.

Caleidoscopio @Casa del Cinema

Under the towering pines of Villa Borghese, Casa del Cinema will host its outdoor film festival Caleidoscopio, divided into themes. Seventy free open-air evenings dedicated to the stars of Italian and international cinema in the evocative setting of Villa Borghese, and in particular to the great Roman actor Alberto Sordi, who’s centenary we celebrate this year. Cinema will be told once again from June 6th to September 14th, with the usual formula of a themed screening each day of the week. There will also be two special evenings dedicated to Federico Fellini, with a tribute to Ettore Scala’s Che strano chiamarsi Federico and an unforgettable movie, La Dolce Vita, 60 years later. A special tribute will also be paid to the director Ferzan Ozpetek and the great master Fernando Di Leo by screening 5 movies loved by Quentin Tarantino, starting from Caliber 9. But that’s not it, you’ll get to immerse yourself in the dazzling reality of the Italian documentary inserted in the Cinema in Luce program that brings together talented authors and the extraordinary archive images of the Istituto Luce. Lastly, another retrospective with 6 feature films by Jacques Tati, just restored and digitized by RIPLEY’S FILM, will be screened. Additionally, 9 evenings will be dedicated to the CSC Social Club and their favorite movies. While the month of August is dedicated to great music with the film opera category that screens films directed by illustrious film and visionary directors. As usual, Caleidoscopio will host a series of special events including the Asian, Romanina, Lithuanina, Albanian, Columbian and African film festival. Reservations can be made up to two hours before the event.

Till September 14, 2020

Largo Marcello Mastroianni,1 (Villa Borghese)

Films shown nightly, from 9pm onwards

Free entry

casadelcinema.it

Cinema in Piazza

From July 3rd to August 30th, Rome’s piazzas will be transformed into opportunities to rebuild community and experience intense civil and social value. Rome’s piazzas are once again being transformed into a movie theater, as the free outside movie festival, “Il Cinema in Piazza,” has returned to Rome for its 6th year. Just like last year, it will be hosted in three locations: Piazza San Cosimato (Jul 3 – Aug 30), Porto Turistico di Ostia (Jul 18 – Aug 23), Casale della Cervelletta (Jul 9 – Aug 23). Sixty movie nights are in store in three locations on 12×8-meter large screens. All films will be shown in the original language, with Italian subtitles. Entry to the open-air theaters will be allowed only if you’ve reserved your seat on prenotaunposto.it, on which you’ll be able to reserve your “area” where you can bring your pillows , towels and seats directly from home. The three piazzas will have a total of three-thousand seats. It will also be the first cinema event to bring international guests back to Italy, also welcoming dozens of Italian authors, directors and actors.

Till August 30, 2020

Piazza San Cosimato); il Porto Turistico di Roma Marina in Ostia; Casale della Cervelletta in Tor Sapienza

Films shown nightly at 9pm

Free entry – Mandatory reservation

ilcinemainpiazza.it

Sunset Drive In

New this year is the drive in format that will accompany us every weekend till October (except for August)! Get ready to watch amazing national and international movies at Sunset Drive In, the drive in at Cinecittà Studios that can host up to 160 cars for a total of 320 viewers. Not only will you be watching a show from the comfort of your own car, (whether that be inside, on it, or from a lawn chair) but you will simultaneously be surrounded by the same buildings that were once walked through by many of cinema’s greatests. As you enjoy the movie you can also order food and beverages to munch on, which will be served on customized Sunset Drive In trays that match the merch available. Buy your ticket online, or at the booth on-site, and check-in, but also reserve a space for your car beforehand, through your smartphone. Catching either the 9PM or 11.45PM showing on the 100sqm screen will be like stepping into a dreamy summer from the past, but better.

Till October, 2020 (closed in August)

Cinecittà Studios – Via Vincenzo Lamaro, 30

Weekends at 9pm or 11.45pm

Entry Fee €7,5. Reservation online or on-site

sunsetdrivein.it

Floating Theatre

Till September 24th get ready for a completely new format in one of the most cinematic neighborhoods of Rome: Floating Theatre – an actual open-air cinema that floats on EUR’s famous laghetto! Not just movie screenings that range from “Parasite” to “Joker”, from “The Goonies” to “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” but also the presence of famous actors and directors from Matt Dillon and Jasmine Trinca, to Ferenz Ozpetek and Maria Sole Tognazzi. Some great movies from last season will be screened including new releases like Christopher Nolan’s “Tenet”, restored films like “Palombella Rossa”, and the first two episodes of the “Mrs America” series with Cate Blanchett. The floating theatre hosts 150 seats and spectators will have wireless headphones.

Till September 24th

Parco Centrale del Lago – Laghetto dell’EUR – Entrance on Viale Africa

Daily 9pm

€5 + €1 (prevendita)

floatingtheatre.it

Cinecittà Film Festival

The Cinecittà Film Festival returns for its seventh edition, boasting everything from documentaries, to animated features, to submissions from rising filmmakers. Inspired by Cinecittà studios, the festival aims to show films that often have a social or political relevance, stimulating debate and discussion among viewers.

July 16-19 2020

Via Lemonia

9pm

free entrance

Pagina Facebook

Sotto le Stelle dell’Austria

The eighth edition of “Sotto le Stelle dell’Austria” dedicated to the best of contemporary Austrian cinema, awaits you in the garden of the Austrian cultural institute on July 1^st, 7^th, 9^th, 13^th and 16^th. The title of this year’s edition is “The Sustainable Challenge” that focuses on the relationship between man and nature, made up of intensive exploitation and manipulation but also of the search for a new harmony. Reservations mandatory via email.

July 1, 7, 9, 13, 16 2020

Forum Austriaco di Cultura – Via B. Buozzi 113

9pm

Free entry, mandatory reservation via email rom-kf@bmeia.gv.at