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Netflix funds revival of historic Cinema Europa in Rome

cultural-heritage · 2026-04-26

The Cinema Europa, where Italy's first narrative film 'La presa di Roma' premiered on September 20, 1905, will reopen after years of pandemic-related closure. Netflix is financing the renovation and management of the venue in Rome's Porta Pia district. The cinema will become a cultural and educational space for the Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia (CSC), housing the Cineteca Nazionale and providing a venue for students of the Scuola Nazionale di Cinema. It will be the CSC's first theater within the city walls, serving as a hub for film and audiovisual promotion. Netflix will collaborate with CSC on training and cultural initiatives, and the platform may use the space for special non-commercial events. Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli praised the public-private partnership, while CSC president Gabriella Buontempo and Netflix Co-CEO Ted Sarandos spoke at the press conference. Sarandos noted the initiative coincides with Netflix's tenth anniversary in Italy.

Key facts

  • Cinema Europa hosted Italy's first narrative film screening on September 20, 1905.
  • Netflix is funding the renovation and operational costs of the cinema.
  • The cinema will become a CSC space for the Cineteca Nazionale and film school students.
  • It will be the first CSC theater inside Rome's city walls.
  • Netflix will collaborate with CSC on training and cultural projects.
  • The space can host Netflix special non-commercial events.
  • Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli endorsed the public-private partnership.
  • Ted Sarandos announced the initiative during Netflix's tenth anniversary in Italy.

Entities

Artists

  • Filoteo Alberini

Institutions

  • Netflix
  • Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia
  • Cineteca Nazionale
  • Scuola Nazionale di Cinema
  • Ministero della Cultura

Locations

  • Roma
  • Porta Pia
  • Italia

Sources