Roma FMF 2026 – 5ª edición – Programa

The Italian premiere of a new chapter of Star Wars, ‘Return of the Jedi’, with live music; and a tribute to a giant like Piero Umiliani with an immersive exhibition and live performances by Calibro 35 and Gegè Munari Quintet. Furthermore, Hollywood soundtrack legend Randy Kerber will perform for the first time in Italy: the pianist behind Harry Potter and Forrest Gump (to name but two) will present the immersive concert “The Piano in Hollywood – A Night with Randy Kerber” to the festival audience for the first time.

 

The Rome Film Music Festival, the international event dedicated to the world of soundtracks under the artistic direction of Marco Patrignani, returns for its fifth edition from 16 to 22 March in the capital for a week of exclusive and major events, ready to celebrate once again the music that makes cinema unforgettable.

For information: www.romafmf.com

 

Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi – in concert is the closing event of the festival: the entire film will be shown on the big screen in high definition, while on stage the Italian Cinema Orchestra – in its largest formation of 80 members – will perform the soundtrack live, in perfect synchronisation with the film. With its immortal themes and monumental orchestrations, John Williams’ legendary music – etched in the collective memory – comes back to life with a large symphony orchestra 43 years after its cinematic debut.

 

George Lucas’ epic struggle between the Rebel Alliance and the Galactic Empire reignites at the Auditorium Conciliazione in Rome on Saturday 21 March (9 p.m.) and Sunday 22 March (3 p.m. and 7.30 p.m.) with conductor Ernst Van Tiel; and again at the Teatro Lirico Giorgio Gaber in Milan with Maestro Benjiamin Pope on Saturday 2 May (9 p.m.) and Sunday 3 May (3 p.m. and 7.30 p.m.), on Star Wars Day.

 

Six performances in two cities to enjoy the thrilling film concert, which in the Lombard capital coincides with the eagerly awaited Star Wars Day celebrations, under the motto May the fourth be with you.

 

In the days leading up to the event, the festival comes to life in the places where it was conceived: the Forum Theatre and Forum Studios, the historic studios founded by Ennio Morricone, Piero Piccioni, Armando Trovajoli and Luis Bacalov, are the beating heart of the event with a rich programme of events and concerts that will be unveiled shortly and are all available at the TicketOne link dedicated to the event.

 

The first three days (16 to 18 March) are dedicated to the centenary of the great composer Piero Umiliani: a pioneer of jazz in Italy and a central figure in film music (he composed over 150 soundtracks, including Mario Monicelli’s I soliti ignoti), he is the author of the timeless Mah Nà Mah Nà and is still today a point of reference for young musicians, producers and international DJs who reinterpret his sound. The Rome Film Music Festival is dedicating two concerts and an immersive exhibition to him, which will transport the audience on a multisensory journey through images, sound archives and evocative settings.

 

Monday 16 March at 8.30 pm kicks off with “GEGÈ MUNARI & FRIENDS”, a live performance led by Gegè Munari, long-time drummer for Piero Umiliani and Ennio Morricone. With 92 years of energy and artistic vitality, he will overwhelm the audience at the Forum Theatre with an evening of great intensity, enriched by the presence of special guests and surprise guests.

 

Tuesday 17 March from 10 am to 7 pm, the entire day is dedicated to the immersive exhibition Piero Umiliani 100th anniversary with vinyl listening sessions and special guests. The exhibition can also be visited one hour before the concerts on Monday 16 and Wednesday 18 March, on this occasion only for those who have purchased tickets for the live shows.

 

On Wednesday 18 March at 9 pm, the Forum Theatre opens its doors to a special concert by CALIBRO 35 dedicated to Piero Umiliani. The most cinephile band on the European music scene takes to the stage in an immersive setting: a powerful sound experience that brings the Maestro’s visionary writing into dialogue with the explosive energy and unmistakable style of the band.

 

On Thursday 19 March at 9 p.m., the Rome Film Music Festival presents, for the first time in Italy, the legendary Randy Kerber, the pianist who has accompanied the emotions of world cinema. A long-time collaborator of John Williams and original performer of iconic soundtracks including Harry Potter, Titanic, La La Land and Forrest Gump (he played the piano in the famous scene with the feather that opens the film with Tom Hanks), presents the world premiere of the immersive concert “The Piano in Hollywood – A Night with Randy Kerber”, a journey through the unforgettable themes of international cinema in an experience of extraordinary emotional intensity.

 

With this edition,‘ says Marco Patrignani, creator and founder of the Festival, president of the Italian Film Orchestra and patron of the historic Forum Studios, ’we want to combine memory and international dimension. The centenary of Piero Umiliani represents our cultural roots, while Star Wars in Concert unleashes the full power of the film with live orchestra formula, capable of enchanting and overwhelming audiences of all ages. A festival that focuses on great film music as a shared cultural heritage, combining memory, research and entertainment.

 

Once again this year, the Rome Film Music Festival enjoys the valuable support of its main sponsor Unipol and media partner RDS 100% Grandi Successi, with the patronage of Roma Capitale Assessorato Grandi Eventi, Sport, Turismo e Moda. The hospitality partner is Radisson Blu GHR Roma. The festival partner is NUOVO IMAIE. The twinning with the Krakow Film Music Festival and Fimucité in Tenerife, the most important international festivals dedicated to soundtracks, has been confirmed, once again united in a constant cultural and artistic exchange.

 

‘Star Wars – Return of the Jedi’ is an officially licensed Disney Concerts event, in association with Lucasfilm and Warner/Chappel Music. ©️ All rights reserved.

 

The concert lasts approximately 2 hours and 50 minutes, including a 20-minute interval.

 

The film is screened in the Italian version with subtitles in the original language.