Rome, Italy: Tibernia Island's Open Air Cinema and Summer Film Festival

Rome's Tibernia Island Summer Film Festival

Every year between June and September visitors to the ancient city of Rome can break from the crowds to enjoy films on Tiberina an Island near Trastevere at the L'Isola del Cinema film festival. Don't be surprised if you rub noses with a famous Italian film star, the festival is extremely important to Italian culture but not a pretentious as other film festivals. The boat-shaped island is the only island in the Tiber River that runs through Rome and has always been associated with medicine. The perfect cure when elbowing your way through the crowds and standing in long lines in the heart of Rome gets the best of you. The L'Isola del Cinema film festival features new and classic films, workshops, guest appearances, and also a favorite of many festival film goers, the cult classics such as Italian comedies and westerns. Most of the films are dubbed in Italian, but you should have no problem understanding the content or message of the director. The open air cinema under the stars of the Roman nights is near Ponte Rotto named for its slanting position. The bridge was prone to water damage, and half of it was destroyed by a violent flood in the late 16th century. This is why it is called Ponte Rotto (broken bridge). Today Ponte Rotto can best be seen from the Palatino Bridge, a magnificent sight when the starts light up the evening sky. After the film, the real festivities begin and the island transforms into an open party. Take a walk along the banks of the river and find the perfect bar or cafГ© to enjoy a cocktail or meal. There are also many vendors along the embankment selling gift and souvenir items such as DVDs and photos, and artwork. After the festival stroll through the Trastevere region of Rome known for its charming cobble-stoned alleyways, quaint piazzas, friendly locals, and excellent Italian restaurants. Tip: Before the film festival, stop by Santa Maria in Trastevere church. According to legend, on the day Christ was born a stream of pure oil flowed from the earth on the side of the church, signifying the coming of the grace of God. A column next to the altar marks the spot. How to get to Tiberina Island: * From Termini Train Station take Bus H. * From Ostiense Train Station take Bus 23 (CLODIO). * From Metro A - Ottaviano take Bus 23 (PINCHERLE/PARRAVANO). * Take Tram 8 to Santa Maria in Trastevere church. Source: http://www.examiner.com/x-6661-Milwaukee-European-Travel-Examiner~y2009m6d2-Romes-Tibernia-Island-Summer-Film-Festival