Section “Cinema 2007” is the RomeFilmFest’ Official Selection, composed by 22 International Premieres of films from around the world, destined to celebrate the “appeal of creativity” in the very best of contemporary cinema.

Apart from the technical requirements listed in the Fest Regulations, the fundamental criteria behind the selection is the search for an all-embracing cinema, daring enough to embark on new paths guided by authors’ creative freedom, but also capable of attracting the wider public of film fans. We are looking for an original cinema, emotional, free, in tune with our times, capable of extolling the essentials of collective creativity - novelty, talent, production values, expressive intensity, stylistic balance and strong performances – which enable the cinematographic industry to maintain its status as one of this century’s great arts.

The Competition
A total of 14 international productions can compete for the Marco Aurelio Prize for Best Film, the Special Jury Prize and the Best Actor and Actress Awards. Films in competition must have been completed after November 1st, 2006; they can be released in their home country and are allowed to have participated in one festival or prize outside Europe before their presentation at the RomeFilmFest. Any Italian films eventually selected must be presented in Rome as a World Premiere. The invitation to participate in this section is at the sole discretion of its Artistic Directors, in agreement with the Presidency of the RomeFilmFest.

The Jury
Since its creation in 2006, the RomeFilmFest has instigated an original aspect to its competition, entrusting the choice of the winners to 50 normal cinema-goers: film-lovers of all ages, demanding spectators who nevertheless watch films of all genres, fans but not fanatics…

The first jury was presided by Italian master director Ettore Scola, and this year his place will be taken by an international personality from the world of great cinema, who will agree to share this experience – almost a nine-day “master class” - with 50 cinemagoers from around the European Union.

Thanks to collaboration from theatrical operators in Italy (ANEC) and Europe (members of the MEDIA Program’s Europa Cinemas project) as well as CIAK film magazine, we will have a balanced group of “judges” representing different ages, countries and cultures. The selection process started in March and will be completed by the end of June. The jury President and its 50 members will assign the prizes – the only official awards in the competitive section at the RomeFilmFest – including a cash award of 200,000 Euros for the Best Film (shared equally between the director and majority producer).

Out of Competition
Eight special events out of competition complete the RomeFilmFest 2007 program. In agreement with the Fest’s Presidency, the Artistic Directors will invite some films out of competition. Choices will be made by considering their characteristics, the calibre of the authors and any distinctiveness in the proposals. The selection of films will be fitting to this section’s overall identity – the Fest’s real DNA – along with a quest for cinematographic research that contributes to the aesthetic evolution of film in our time. The decision to show works in or out of competition is at the sole discretion of the Board of Artistic Directors. The selection criteria are the same as the competition.