Whether with the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica in the background, along the historic streets of Trastevere, or in one of Rome’s many public squares, watching a film outdoors is perhaps what makes summer the most eagerly awaited season of the year in the city. For decades, free open-air cinema screenings have been deeply embedded in Rome’s cultural life.
One of the most significant references of this tradition today is "Cinema in Piazza," which is holding its 12th edition this year from May 28 to July 25. The event has been organized every summer since 2015 by the Piccolo America Foundation.
A crowd watches an animated film at "Cinema in Piazza," Rome, Italy. (Photo courtesy of Cinema in Piazza)
Founded in September 2014, the Piccolo America Foundation grew out of a youth collective formed around 2011 by students in Rome who sought to create alternative cultural spaces. Over the years, Piccolo America has become a key cultural actor in the city, best known for Cinema in Piazza, now one of Rome’s most significant open-air film initiatives.
“We do this for love. The foundation is nonprofit,” says Mario Dante, a member of the Piccolo America Foundation.
