Notti di Cinema a Piazza Vittorio 2026 (Cinema Nights in Piazza Vittorio 2026)

With the arrival of summer, from June 18th to September 20th, the lights of Notti di Cinema (Cinema Nights) will be turned back on in Piazza Vittorio, the historic cinema arena on the Esquiline Hill, which is celebrating its twenty-sixth edition, confirming its position as one of the capital's most beloved and long-running cultural events.

The first arena to inaugurate the summer season of the ANEC-AGIS Lazio circuit, Piazza Vittorio has been a landmark not only for Roman audiences but for all film enthusiasts for over a quarter of a century. This distinction makes it the most important Italian cinema arena in terms of attendance and programming continuity, capable of renewing itself annually without losing its identity. In a historical moment in which audiovisual consumption methods are multiplying, the value of open-air cinema takes on an even greater significance: that of rediscovering the pleasure of collective participation, of shared emotion. ANEC Lazio has, in fact, for years pursued the mission of bringing audiences back to the cinema, fostering encounters between spectators, authors, and works, and reaffirming the irreplaceable role of the theater as a place of culture and socialization.

Piazza Vittorio officially opens its Roman summer of cinema on Thursday, June 18th at 9:00 PM with a screening of Paul Thomas Anderson's six-time Academy Award winner, including Best Picture and Best Director, One Battle After Another. This year's program also features numerous talks by leading figures in contemporary Italian cinema, who will guide audiences through the films presented.

The Porta Magica Festival, curated by the Esquilino Poesia association, also returns, bringing the arena to life with literary encounters, book presentations, performances, concerts, reflections, and events dedicated to contemporary poetry. The 2026 edition further broadens its scope by addressing highly topical issues such as disability, rare diseases, and inclusion, alongside an even richer musical offering than in previous years. Among the season's new features is Libri&Spritz, the cultural format conceived by the C.A.S.A. Community that has captivated audiences in recent years, coming to Piazza Vittorio for the first time. Born from the intersection of literature, dialogue, and conviviality, the project arrives in the heart of the Esquilino district following the success of previous editions of the Cinevillage arenas, bringing author encounters, book launches, and opportunities for discussion in an informal and participatory setting.

The program features film premieres, festivals, and special events, confirming the arena's vocation as a platform for diverse languages, cultures, and sensibilities. The traditional FLAG – Festival of LGBTQIA+ Cultures returns from September 11th to 13th, along with initiatives dedicated to environmental cinema and other thematic programs that enrich the summer calendar.

The event also brings new, central themes to the cultural and civic debate: from September 17th to 20th, the arena will host the 4th edition of Cinema in Verde (Cinema in Green), the international environmental film festival in Rome that explores sustainability through narrative films.

To complete the experience there is the refreshment area set up inside the Nicola Calipari Gardens, designed as a meeting and socializing space before and after the screenings, where audiences can experience the arena as a space to be enjoyed throughout the evening.
Thanks to the Cinema Revolution initiative, promoted by the Ministry of Culture, all Italian and European films are offered at the special price of €3.50, whether you purchase your ticket directly at the arena or online (with only the presale fee).
Promoted and supported by Roma Capitale - Department of Culture and Coordination of Initiatives Related to Holocaust Remembrance Day - Department of Cultural Activities, in collaboration with Zètema Progetto Cultura, and organized by ANEC Lazio. The initiative is supported by the Rome Chamber of Commerce and ACEA, in collaboration with CNB Comunicazione, AGIS Lazio, Libri&Spritz – Community C.A.S.A., with the patronage of ENPAM and the support of Piazza Vittorio APS. Mobility Partner: ATAC. Media Partners: Dimensione Suono Soft and MYmovies.

Full program on the official website: cinevillageroma.it/notti-di-cinema-a-piazza-vittorio/

Photo: official poster of the event