Acea celebrates the seventh art as the main sponsor of the Rome Film Fest at the Auditorium Parco della Musica.
13-25 October 2026
Auditorium Parco della Musica
Acea supports the 21st edition of Rome Film Fest through several initiatives focused on water.
An opportunity to engage the public and promote greater awareness of the value of this precious resource and its protection.
Gocce di Cinema (“Drops of Cinema”), a cinematic journey curated by Acea and dedicated to the role of water in the history of cinema, returns to the 2026 Rome Film Fest.
Through a selection of films that place water centre stage, the initiative aims to highlight the deep connection between this vital element and the collective imagination.
With Gocce di Cinema, Acea reaffirms its commitment to sustainability and culture, offering the public an immersive experience that celebrates water through cinema’s poetic lens.
Océans: 13 October, 6:00 PM – Casa del Cinema (Sala Cinecittà)
The Rome Eight: 16 October, 9:00 PM and 18 October, 3:00 PM – Teatro Olimpico Acea
Sense of Water: 17 October, 2:00 PM – MAXXI | 19 October, 4:00 PM – Giulio Cesare (Sala 7)
Blu: 18 October, 3:00 PM – MAXXI | 19 October, 5:00 PM – Giulio Cesare (Sala 6)
Closure: 19 October, 7:00 PM – Giulio Cesare (Sala 6) | 20 October, 3:00 PM – Teatro Studio Gianni Borgna and 5:00 PM – Giulio Cesare (Sala Room 7) | 21 October, 7:00 PM – Giulio Cesare (Sala 1)
A mare: 20 October, 3:00 PM and 21 October, 5:00 PM – Giulio Cesare (Sala 6)
I pesci non chiudono gli occhi: 23 October, 7:00 PM – MAXXI | 24 October, 3:30 PM – Giulio Cesare (Sala 6)
Me, You: 22 October, 9:00 AM and 7:00 PM – Sala Sinopoli, and 7:30 PM – Giulio Cesare (Sala 3) | 23 October, 9:30 AM – Giulio Cesare (Sala 6)
Once again this year, Acea has launched the “I mille volti dell’acqua” (“The Thousand Faces of Water”) contest in collaboration with the Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia di Roma. The contest aims to convey, through the creative language of cinema, the profound value of water and the role of those who protect and safeguard it every day. This year’s theme is “La via dell’acqua: dalla depurazione al mare” (“The journey of water: from treatment to the sea”).
A jury comprising representatives of Acea and critics from the Centro Sperimentale selected the best short film submitted. The winning entry was awarded a prize at the Auditorium Parco della Musica Ennio Morricone on 13 October, the opening day of the event, by Alessandro Rivera, President of Acea.
The Premio Speciale Acea was awarded to “Un lavoretto pulito”, directed by Romeo Pizzol.
With irony and originality, the winning short film of the "I Mille Volti dell'Acqua" contest explores the theme of water purification from an unexpected perspective, turning an everyday situation into an opportunity to reflect on the importance of treating water and returning it to the environment, while protecting a resource that is precious to us all. The message is fully in line with Acea's commitment to promoting a culture of sustainability and to the careful and innovative management of water resources.
Il colloquio
Watch the short film
Un lavoretto pulito
Watch the short film
La favola del filo d'argento
Watch the short film
Throughout the event, Acea will be present at the Rome Film Fest with a stand reached via a symbolic "Blu Carpet", designed to draw attention to water as a precious resource that needs to be protected.
Acea's exhibition space has been designed as a fully fledged film set, evoking the atmosphere of Cinecittà. At the heart of the stand is a timeless symbol of the Italian capital: the nasone, Rome's historic drinking fountain and an expression of the city's bond with water. Visitors can take photos in a dedicated area featuring the nasone and watch, on the LED wall, scenes inspired by Italian films that have immortalised Rome's drinking fountains. The finalist short films from the "I Mille Volti dell'Acqua" ("The Thousand Faces of Water") contest and educational content from the Acea Scuola project will also be screened.
Throughout the event, Acea will be present at the 2026 Rome Film Fest with a stand the public can access via a symbolic “blue carpet”, designed to draw attention to water as a precious asset and a resource to be protected.
Through screenings, contests and special initiatives, Acea invites the public to experience a unique journey where cinema becomes a means of raising awareness and telling stories.
The 2026 Rome Film Fest is gearing up to celebrate international cinema with an edition packed with stories, prominent figures and special events.
Among the most eagerly awaited guests are Javier Bardem and Julianne Moore, who will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award, while Nicola Piovani will receive the Music Award, dedicated to the value of music in cinema.
This edition’s awards also include the Industry Lifetime Achievement Award for British producer Tessa Ross, in recognition of her contribution to the world of cinema.
Il rumore delle cose nuove, Paolo Genovese’s new film, featuring Emanuela Fanelli, Edoardo Pesce, Claudia Pandolfi and Stefano Accorsi, will open the festival.
Rome Film Fest offers a packed programme of events and screenings, with the aim of promoting film culture and showcasing the variety of audiovisual formats.
Alongside the international Progressive Cinema competition, the programme includes the Freestyle section, dedicated to the most innovative and experimental works, and Grand Public, aimed at a broad audience.