Over three dynamic evenings in mid-May, the graduating film majors from The American University of Rome (AUR) will present their Capstone Films at the iconic Space Cinema Moderno in Piazza della Repubblica. This showcase - open to the public and free of charge - offers a rare opportunity to witness bold new voices in cinema as they premiere their culminating works before stepping into their professional careers.
The screenings will take place on May 13 at 4:30 PM, May 14 at 4:30 PM, and May 15 at 4:00 PM, with a Q&A session and a complimentary aperitivo following each evening’s program. These events are open to all, with a special invitation extended to members of Rome’s international film and arts community, critics, producers, and cinema enthusiasts.
“This year’s Capstone Films are a true testament to the creative courage and diversity of perspective that our students bring to the screen,” says Professor Theron Patterson, Director of the Film Program at AUR. “In just a few short years, they have gone from crafting their first student shorts to producing work that speaks with artistic maturity, social relevance, and cinematic flair. This is the next generation of filmmakers—raw, thoughtful, and ready.”
The twelve films on the program span fiction, documentary, experimental, and science fiction, tackling themes as wide-ranging as migration, artistic awakening, social justice, personal identity, and fantastical folklore. Though stylistically diverse, the films share a common thread: a bold willingness to take risks and tell stories that matter.
May 13 features Between Hits, Lena Bendriss’s minimalist meditation on presence and memory, followed by Enlightenment, Flora Scott’s poignant exploration of self-discovery through art. Antonio Fronterrè’s documentary Under Damascus' Soil chronicles food, resilience, and cultural preservation among Syrian refugees in Rome, while Stefan Zimmerman’s Una Notte a Roma, 2035 delivers an extraterrestrial twist on love and duty.
May 14 ventures into the mythical and the personal. Le Storie de Ciasa by Sabina Da Via presents a surreal tale set deep in the Dolomites, and A Bridge Between Us by Kamila Soja navigates trauma, redemption, and friendship. Shadae Small’s A Star Is Born follows the evolution of a music artist between Atlanta and Rome, while Here... and Here... and Here and Here by Bruno Bielecki offers a darkly comic take on Rome’s bureaucratic maze.
May 15 closes the series with four ambitious final works: Ether by Giacomo Vidoni, a haunting psychological journey into the mind of a writer; In This Great Past by Yoana Todorova, a touching archive-based quest for family history; Home to Me by Carsyn Sieg, a heartfelt story of friendship across cultures; and In Another Time by Kendall Sieg, a documentary that traces the struggle and passion of independent musicians in Seattle and Rome.
With runtimes ranging from 8 to 30 minutes, the films provide not just entertainment but a compelling cross-section of emerging international talent trained in Rome’s unique academic and cinematic setting. All films are in English and will be screened in one of Rome’s most centrally located cinemas.
Entry is free - no reservation required.
Location: Space Cinema Moderno, Piazza della Repubblica, 43/45, Rome.
Whether you're a film buff, a talent scout, or simply curious about what the next wave of global filmmakers looks like - these screenings promise a fresh, unfiltered perspective you won’t find anywhere else.