ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Rome Film Fest Returns as Festival with Competition, Led by Farinelli and Malanga

festival-fair · 2026-04-27

The 17th Festa del Cinema di Roma is set to take place from October 13 to 23, 2022, celebrating its festive essence while including a competitive segment. Under the leadership of Gian Luca Farinelli and artistic director Paola Malanga, the festival will present films in 28 locations throughout Rome, with a strong focus on Italian cinema. The official artwork features iconic actors Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward from the early 1960s. Various sections will highlight emerging directors, indie films, and comedies, with a jury chaired by Carlo Verdone. Prominent Italian films include Francesca Archibugi's 'Il colibrì' and Francesco Patierno's 'La cura.' Public events will showcase 'Absolute Beginners' and 'Paso Doble,' along with five TV series debuts, such as Sky's 'Django' and Amazon's 'Sono Lillo.'

Key facts

  • 17th edition of Festa del Cinema di Roma runs October 13-23, 2022
  • First edition led by Gian Luca Farinelli (president) and Paola Malanga (artistic director)
  • Festival returns to competition format while keeping 'festa' identity
  • 28 screens across Rome will show films
  • Official poster features Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward in Greenwich Village
  • Italian films include 'Il colibrì' by Francesca Archibugi as opening film
  • Public sections: Absolute Beginners (debuts) and Paso Doble (dialogues)
  • Five TV series premieres including William Kentridge's 'Self-portrait as a Coffee Pot'

Entities

Artists

  • Gian Luca Farinelli
  • Paola Malanga
  • Carlo Verdone
  • Paul Newman
  • Joanne Woodward
  • Francesca Archibugi
  • Sandro Veronesi
  • Francesco Patierno
  • Jacopo Quadri
  • Giulio Rame
  • Giulio Base
  • Elisabetta Sgarbi
  • Mimmo Paladino
  • Gianni Di Gregorio
  • Edoardo Falcone
  • Gianni Zanasi
  • Roberto Andò
  • Michele Placido
  • Renato De Maria
  • Paolo Virzì
  • Luc Besson
  • James Gray
  • Mario Martone
  • Stephen Frears
  • Francesca Comencini
  • Matteo Rovere
  • Ethan Hawke
  • William Kentridge
  • Margherita Bordino

Institutions

  • Fondazione Cinema per Roma
  • Sky
  • Amazon Prime Video
  • Artribune

Locations

  • Rome
  • Italy
  • Greenwich Village
  • New York
  • United States
  • Johannesburg
  • South Africa

Sources