Rome's closed cinemas: new law sparks debate on cultural preservation vs. market forces
In August 2024, Assessor Pasquale Ciacciarelli proposed legislation in Lazio that would permit owners to repurpose cinemas that have been shuttered for a minimum of seven years as of December 31, 2023, without limitations. Cinemas closed within the previous year must wait ten years before any changes can be made. Owners may obtain an additional 15% in volume for renovations or 30% for demolitions if at least 30% of the space continues to serve cinema purposes. Notably, filmmakers such as Paolo Sorrentino and Matteo Garrone have voiced their opposition, deeming cinemas as "essential cultural outposts." On February 4, 2025, Lazio President Francesco Rocca committed to safeguarding current cinemas, including 44 long-closed venues in Rome, such as the former Metropolitan.
Key facts
- Proposed law in Lazio region would allow change of use for cinemas closed ≥7 years without restrictions
- Law introduced by Assessor Pasquale Ciacciarelli in August 2024, nearing Regional Council approval
- For cinemas closed within last year, 10-year waiting period applies
- If ≥30% surface retains cinema use, owners get up to 15% extra volume for renovation or 30% for demolition/reconstruction
- Filmmakers including Sorrentino, Garrone, Cortellesi, Favino, Martone, Valsecchi, Avati signed appeal against law
- Lazio President Francesco Rocca met industry on Feb 4, 2025, aims for shared proposal by end of February
- 44 long-closed cinemas in Rome affected; former Metropolitan on Via del Corso emblematic case
- Dutch company Hadrian's Wall bought 9 Roman cinemas for €50 million in bankruptcy auction
- Rome Culture Assessor Massimiliano Smeriglio proposes public recovery of cinemas Airone, Apollo, Rialto
- Federazione Aut-Autori proposes 'Casa degli Autori' with municipal support
- Culture Decree approved Feb 6, 2025 ignored cinema industry
- Pietro Valsecchi seeks Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli's intervention
Entities
Artists
- Paolo Sorrentino
- Matteo Garrone
- Paola Cortellesi
- Pierfrancesco Favino
- Mario Martone
- Pietro Valsecchi
- Pupi Avati
- Massimo Ferrero
- Alessandro Trocino
- Massimiliano Tonelli
- Livia Montagnoli
Institutions
- Ordine degli Architetti di Roma
- Regione Lazio
- Consiglio regionale del Lazio
- Anica
- Anec
- Hadrian's Wall
- Sampdoria
- Corriere della Sera
- Federazione Aut-Autori
- Anac
- Cendic
- Anart
- Aidac
- Comune di Roma
- Ministero della Cultura
- Camera dei Deputati
- Artribune
Locations
- Roma
- Lazio
- Via del Corso
- Italia