Rome Film Fest Unveils 2026 Lineup, With Stallone Biopic and Bardem Honour
Rome Film Fest's 21st edition will screen new work from Taika Waititi, Simon Stone and Bille August, with Javier Bardem receiving a lifetime-achievement award.
The Rome Film Fest has announced the programme for its 21st edition, a lineup that mixes literary adaptations, star-driven premieres and a broad international competition.
Artistic director Paola Malanga presented the titles in Rome on Friday alongside festival president Salvatore Nastasi. The event is scheduled to run from October 13 to 25.
The festival opens with the premiere of Paolo Genovese's "Il rumore delle cose nuove," which follows three previously unconnected couples whose lives are upended by an unexpected event. It will screen in the non-competitive Grand Public section.
Taika Waititi's "Klara and the Sun," adapted from Kazuo Ishiguro's novel, also features in Grand Public, as do "Changer l'eau des fleurs," drawn from Valérie Perrin's bestselling book, and "Le Fantôme de l'Opéra." Other titles in the section include Jesse Eisenberg's "The Debut," Simon Stone's "Elsinore" with Andrew Scott and Olivia Colman, and Bille August's "Me, You."
Malanga said several filmmakers and cast members are expected in Rome to support their films, among them Waititi and Jenna Ortega for "Klara and the Sun." She also noted that Anthony Ippolito plays a young Sylvester Stallone in a film that Farrelly will attend with him, and that Helen Mirren appears as Patricia Highsmith in Anton Corbijn's "Talent for Murder."
Eighteen films will compete in the main Progressive Cinema competition. They include Diego Luna's "Ashes" and Tim Blake Nelson's "The Life and Deaths of Wilson Shedd," alongside work by Simone Catania, Michał Marczak, Rafiki Fariala, Blerta Basholli, Frauke Finsterwalder, Aung Phyoe, Susanna Nicchiarelli, Mads Mengel, Boots Riley, Clio Barnard, Kasia Smutniak, Mikel Gurrea, Dina Duma, Viesturs Kairišs, Gustave Kervern and Rakan Mayasi.
Javier Bardem will receive a lifetime-achievement award during the festival.
Nastasi said last year's edition drew more than 100,000 attendees and predicted a stronger turnout this time, citing both the programme and additional venues giving audiences more chances to see films. He also defended the state of Italian cinema, describing its producers as among the best in the world and saying the selection demonstrates a vibrant and internationally present industry.