RoMatrix is a short film festival based in Rome, but outside its most familiar imagery. It takes place in the city’s outskirts, in a place known worldwide for its history, while focusing on the present and on stories that have yet to be told.

The name refers to matrix as a generative source: a point of origin, a context where ideas, images, and different cinematic languages can emerge. The festival values spontaneity and artistic freedom, welcoming works driven by a real expressive need, without constraints of format or style.

Spontaneity is central as both an artistic and political value: films born from urgency rather than strategy. Artistic freedom is understood as a shared practice that resists standardization and leaves room for experimentation, risk, and the unexpected.

RoMatrix celebrates cinema as a living dialogue with other arts, weaving short films into the rich tapestry of literature, painting, sculpture, monuments, poetry, and beyond. We embrace works inspired by novels, statues, murals, or verses, blurring boundaries to spark hybrid creations where stories echo across mediums and timeless expressions find fresh cinematic life.

Our festival encourages a more conscious way of engaging with cinema. Short films are not content to scroll past, but experiences to be watched with care, discussed, and connected to the context in which they are presented.

This is not only a space for screening films, but a place to meet. It is a cultural event and an open platform for visibility, exchange, and collaboration, where filmmakers can promote their work, connect with other artists, and build new projects together.

We invite filmmakers, artists, and creators to take part without fear. There are no expectations to fit a model or follow a trend — only an open call to share your work, test ideas, meet others, and start conversations.
Whether your film is your first or your latest, RoMatrix is a space to show it, talk about it, and let it connect with new people and new possibilities.

Awards & Prizes

Winners will receive certificates and commemorative plaques.
This is our first edition, the available budget will instead be allocated to cover accommodation and the event dinner for the winners.

Rules & Terms

• By submitting a film to the Festival, the submitter grants the Festival the non-exclusive right to publicly screen the work and confirms that they hold all necessary rights and authorizations relating to the film and its intellectual property.

• To participate in the Festival, it is necessary to provide a complete press kit, including at minimum: poster or key visual, film synopsis, director’s biography and filmography, production year, running time, country of production, cast and crew credits, technical specifications, still photographs, and, where available, trailer or teaser.

• The submitter assumes full legal responsibility for the ownership, copyright clearance, and licensing of all materials contained in the film, including music, images, archival footage, and third-party content.

• The submitter agrees to release, indemnify, and hold harmless the Festival, its organizers, partners, and representatives from any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, or expenses arising from copyright, trademark, credit, publicity, exhibition, or from the loss or damage of submitted materials.

• Once a film has been officially selected, the submitter and/or rights holder may not withdraw the work from the Festival program.

• The Festival reserves the right to determine the date, venue, and manner of all screenings, as well as the program structure and screening schedule.

• The Festival may use excerpts, trailers, teasers, posters, stills, and behind-the-scenes material for promotional, editorial, and archival purposes related to the Festival. The full film will not be distributed or made publicly available online by the Festival.

• Films that do not meet the eligibility criteria or category requirements may be rejected or disqualified at the discretion of the Festival.

• Films may be submitted to multiple sections or categories, provided that they meet the eligibility requirements of each section.

• Films must be submitted in their final version. Rough cuts or incomplete works will not be considered unless expressly authorized by the Festival.

• All films must include English subtitles, including films that are already in English. The submitter is fully responsible for subtitle accuracy and synchronization.

• The Festival does not guarantee screening fees, rentals, or royalties for selected films.

• The Festival may use the names, biographies, and images of the filmmakers and cast for catalogue, communication, and promotional purposes.

• In the event of unforeseen circumstances, the Festival reserves the right to modify the event dates, screening formats, awards, regulations, or program without prior notice.

• Submission fees, where applicable, are non-refundable.

• All decisions made by the Jury are final and binding.