8th Rome Prisma Film Awards
May 5-9, 2026
“Before borders existed, there was only one planet. Before passports and documents, only one human species.
The 8th edition of the Prisma Awards takes us back to that common ground: for five days, through cinema, we return to that shared language.”
— Marcello Di Trocchio, artistic director of the festival
After more than 50 events held in 8 years, the Prisma Awards are back for their 8th edition: an international film festival to celebrate cinema as a vehicle for social transformation.
From May 5 to 9 — five days of screenings at the historic Cinema Farnese, enriched by networking opportunities, didactic activities and meetings between the public, filmmakers and institutions, at prestigious venues such as Palazzo Valentini, Gemelli University Hospital, Spazio Sette Bookstore and Wine Bar Camponeschi.
Special guests: Matteo Garrone, Francesco Bruni, and Laura Delli Colli.
THESE ARE THE ROME PRISMA FILM AWARDS.
WE UNITE PEOPLE. THROUGH FILMS. IN THE VERY HEART OF ROME.
UNDER THE PATRONAGE OF
FULL PROGRAM
Tuesday, May 5 – Gemelli University Hospital
The festival begins in the MediCinema theater at Gemelli University Hospital, the only movie theater in Rome built within the walls of a hospital. We present the prize “MediCinema & Prisma Awards – Cinema That Does Good“, followed by a screening of the winning feature film: “Cinque secondi” (Five Seconds) by Paolo Virzì.
Receiving the award and presenting the film, co-screenwriter Francesco Bruni. The award will be presented by Laura Delli Colli, President of the National Syndicate of Italian Film Journalists (SNGCI), the organisation that since 1946 has annually awarded the “Nastri d’Argento”, and Marina Morra, Lazio Regional Manager of MediCinema.
- 4 – 4.15 pm – Presentation of the award “MediCinema & Prisma Awards – Cinema That Does Good” (free entry upon reservation)
- 4.15 – 6 pm – Screening of “Cinque secondi” (ITA, no subs) presented by Francesco Bruni (same reservation)
Wednesday, May 6 – Cinema Farnese (schools only)
We dedicate a morning to dialogue between generations: we screen “Cinque secondi” for students from the Roberto Rossellini Film and Television Institute and talk with them, together with the MediCinema team and Dr. Letizia Lafuenti, psychologist, psychotherapist and psycho-oncologist at the Gemelli University Hospital.
- 10 – 11.45 am – Screening of “Cinque Secondi” (ITA, no subs) by Paolo Virzì (schools only)
- 11.45 – 12.45 am – Talk between students, MediCinema and Dr. Letizia Lafuenti (schools only)
Thursday, May 7 – Cinema Farnese
A special evening featuring the opening of the retrospective ‘Primi Passi – Exploring the First Steps of Italy’s Greatest Filmmakers’: director Matteo Garrone presents his debut film, “Terra di mezzo”. Followed by a conversation between the director and Marcello Di Trocchio, artistic director of the festival.
- 9 – 10.30 pm – Screening of “Terra di Mezzo” (ITA, sub ENG) presented by Matteo Garrone (ticket required)
- 10.30 – 11.30 pm – Conversation with the director and Marcello Di Trocchio (same ticket)
Friday, May 8 – Central Rome
The day opens with “Walking Through the Movies in Rome” (in English), a guided tour through Rome’s film history led by festival director Marcello Di Trocchio, organized in collaboration with the Urban pH association.
In the afternoon, the Awards Ceremony is held at Palazzo Valentini, under the patronage of the City of Rome, and in the presence of Erica Battaglia, chair of the Culture Committee of Rome’s City Council.
This is followed by a grand aperitivo at Wine Bar Camponeschi, and concludes at Cinema Farnese, with the screening of the short films from the Animation competition.
- 10.30 am – 1.30 pm – “Walking Through the Movies in Rome” (ENG) | Piazza del Popolo → Piazza Vittorio (ticket required; max. 20 participants)
- 4 – 5.30 pm – Awards Ceremony | Palazzo Valentini (free entry upon reservation)
- 6 – 8.30 pm – Great Aperitivo! | Wine Bar Camponeschi (free entry)
- 9 – 11 pm – Short Films Screening: Animation (OV, sub ITA/ENG) | Cinema Farnese (ticket required)
Saturday, May 9 – Central Rome
In the morning, a repeat of “Walking Through the Movies in Rome” (this time in Italian), again led by festival director Marcello Di Trocchio in collaboration with Urban pH.
In the afternoon, two panel discussions under the Renaissance frescoes of the Spazio Sette Bookstore:
1. “Cinema Sistema Italia”: cinema as a living cultural infrastructure across regions, cities, and peripheral areas. With contributions from:
. Pino Battaglia, Councillor for Peripheral Districts, Municipality of Rome
. Lorenza Lei, member of the Superior Council for Cinema and Audiovisual and of the Roma Lazio Film Commission
. Marco Luca Cattaneo, President of CNA Cinema e Audiovisivo Roma e Lazio
2. “Cinema and Well-Being of People and the Environment”: the relationship between cinema, health, the environment, and quality of life. With contributions from:
. Marina Morra, Lazio Regional Manager, MediCinema Italia
. Prof. Marianna Mazza, Medical Director, Clinical and Emergency Psychiatry Unit (UOC), Policlinico Gemelli
. Lorenzo Vecchi, Chief Operating Officer, Zen2030 benefit corporation
In the evening, screening of the short films from the Live-action competition at Cinema Farnese, followed by the closing party in a secret location…
- 10.30 am – 1.30 pm – “Walking Through the Movies in Rome” (ITA) | Piazza del Popolo → Piazza Vittorio (ticket required; max. 20 participants)
- 4.30 – 6 pm – Two Round Tables (ITA with ENG translation) | Spazio Sette Bookstore (free entry)
- 9 – 11 pm – Short Films Screening: Live-action (OV, sub ITA/ENG) | Cinema Farnese (ticket required)
- 11 pm – till late – Great Party! | Secret location (free entry)
JURY
“My work is driven by a desire to tell morally complex, character-rich South African stories while exploring universal emotions such as unrequited love, grief, and that rare feeling in your chest when something truly takes your breath away.”
We’re proud to welcome Jason Adam Maselle to the jury of the Rome Prisma Film Awards. A BAFTA-nominated filmmaker from Johannesburg and an NYU Tisch graduate, his work has screened on HBO Max and at major international festivals, including Locarno, where his latest film PUNTER, executive produced by Spike Lee, received a Special Jury Prize. He is also the winner of the Best of Fest Award of the Prisma 2025–2026 season.
“I trust the gut over the mind when making artistic decisions.”
We’re excited to welcome Ivana Gloria to the jury of the Rome Prisma Film Awards. Director and storyboard artist, she graduated from IED Milano and made her debut with Clorofilla, presented at major international festivals and now available on MUBI, earning multiple awards including Best Director at the London Director’s Awards.
Her work spans award-winning short films, commercials, music videos, and collaborations with brands like Moncler and BOSS, as well as director Floria Sigismondi. She recently directed the Guatemala episode of the RAI documentary series Heart Dressed in collaboration with the FAO.
OUR PHILOSOPHY
What sets Prisma apart is its human-centered approach: every screening is introduced by the artistic director and followed by reflections that situate each film within its personal, aesthetic, and political context. Rather than overwhelming the audience, the festival fosters intimacy, depth, and shared emotion.
June 2025 marks another step in its mission to bridge cultures, promote artistic merit, and demonstrate that, even in a fragmented digital age, cinema can still be a place where no one feels alone.
OUR MISSION
At the heart of the Rome Prisma Film Awards lies a simple but powerful belief: that cinema is not just an art form, but a human necessity—a way to share our visions, confront our vulnerabilities, and recognize ourselves in others. In a time when screens multiply and attention fragments, we aim to restore depth, presence, and meaning to the cinematic experience.
Our commitment is to support independent filmmakers from all over the world, especially those navigating the uncertainties of our saturated industry. We strive to be more than a competition — we are a meeting place, a platform for growth, a space for exchange.
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