The Roma Fringe Festival is part of the global Fringe movement, the largest international network of performing arts festivals, born in Edinburgh in 1947 and now present in over 250 cities worldwide.

Now in its 14th edition, the festival has established itself as an important platform for independent theatre and contemporary performance in Italy.

Held annually in Rome, the Roma Fringe Festival welcomes artists and companies from around the world, offering a space for original, bold, and innovative work. The festival embraces a wide range of theatrical languages and styles, encouraging experimentation, cultural exchange, and artistic freedom.

Alongside theatre, the program includes Stand-Up Comedy and Fringe Movie (short film) sections, creating a dialogue between live performance and audiovisual storytelling.

With its open spirit and international outlook, the Roma Fringe Festival continues to support emerging voices and independent creation, offering artists a real opportunity to connect with audiences and the wider theatre community.

Awards & Prizes

Best Direction
Best Playwriting
Best Actress
Best Actor
Critics’ Award
Best Screenplay
Best Editing
Best Cinematography

All awards are presented during festival formats. Prizes consist of official recognition certificates, presented physically at the events and also sent digitally , in addition to the Best Show Prize (tour).

Rules & Terms

FilmFreeway submissions apply primarily to the Fringe Movie section.

Eligibility:

Open to individual artists and companies worldwide.

Participants must be at least 18 years old.

Accepted languages: Italian or English.

Duration Limits:
Fringe Movie: maximum 20 minutes

Festival Dates & Locations:
Theatre: July 13–24, Rome – Teatro Vascello
Stand-Up Comedy & Fringe Movie: July 6–11, Rome – Pasquino Art Center
Participants must be available on the dates assigned by the organization.

Submission Requirements
:
Projects must be completed on FilmFreeway and include:
Synopsis / Overview
Main credits
Basic technical specifications
Optional (not mandatory):
Screenings / Awards
Distribution information

Technical Requirements (Fringe Movie):
Minimum resolution: Full HD (1920×1080)
Preferred formats: H.264 / H.265 / ProRes
Subtitles required if not in Italian or English
DCP files are not required at submission stage.

Selection Criteria
:
Projects are evaluated based on:
Originality
Artistic quality
Cultural interest
Compliance with festival guidelines
The decision of the selection committee is final and not subject to appeal.

Rights & Responsibilities
:
Applicants must hold all rights necessary for presentation and screening of their work.
For short films, a screening authorization may be required.

The festival is not responsible for incorrect or false information submitted by participants.

Selected participants must comply with the festival schedule, technical requirements, and organizational guidelines.

Promotion
:
The festival promotes the overall event through its communication channels.
Participants are encouraged to actively promote their own work and participation.

General Conditions:

Submission fees are non-refundable.
Selected participants must confirm their participation within the deadlines communicated by the organization.
The festival reserves the right to exclude any participant or project that does not comply with the rules or that may damage the integrity or image of the festival.