The 19th Rome Film Festival kicked off with an extraordinary pre-opening night dedicated to Francis Ford Coppola, the legendary Italian-American filmmaker, and the Italian premiere of his much-anticipated film Megalopolis. The event, held in collaboration with Alice nella Città and supported by the Ministry of Culture, was a celebration of both the movie and the deep connection between Coppola and Cinecittà, the historic heart of Italian cinema.
The red carpet saw Coppola himself joined by his granddaughter Gia, along with notable guests including actors Matt Dillon, Stefania Sandrelli, Sveva Alviti, and Alessandro Michele, creative director of Valentino, as well as Oscar-winning cinematographer Vittorio Storaro, production designer Dante Ferretti, and Francesca Lo Schiavo.
Held at Teatro 10 in the Cinecittà Studios, the event was also broadcast live to the Sala Petrassi of the Auditorium Parco della Musica in Rome, giving the public a chance to experience this significant moment in cinema.
The day was marked by an unprecedented institutional tribute: the Ministry of Culture and Cinecittà awarded Coppola the prestigious “Chiave di Cinecittà” (Key of Cinecittà) and named one of the studio’s main avenues in his honor. Viale Francis Ford Coppola now stands as a permanent tribute to the director, symbolizing the deep ties between the filmmaker and his family’s homeland.
Lucia Borgonzoni, the Undersecretary of Culture, expressed gratitude to Coppola for his immense contribution to world cinema: “We are honored to host a master who has shaped the history of cinema with immortal works. Coppola has created a unique and timeless cinematic universe, and Cinecittà is the perfect place to pay tribute to his career,” she remarked.
This evening served as a heartfelt salute to one of the greatest directors in the history of film, with stars from across the globe gathering to honor his legacy.
