Neorealist Filmmaking – Rome, Now

Neorealist Filmmaking is a filmmaking course that takes you out of the classroom and onto the streets, allowing you to capture the world around you directly.

DURATION > 1 WEEK

LANGUAGE > ENGLISH

WHEN > 6 – 10 JULY 2026

CAMPUS > ROME

Cinema on the streets

Inspired by Italian Neorealism, the Nouvelle Vague and independent cinema, Neorealist Filmmaking is an intensive digital filmmaking course designed to provide the knowledge needed to make films without being held back by the methodology, logistics and costs of traditional film production.

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Shoot, watch, shoot again

Practical experience is combined with critical analysis to explore the principles of cinematic language and its conventions. You will quickly produce short films, analyse them and then return to shooting, in a dynamic process of observation, creation and revision. The films may take different forms: reportage, cinéma vérité, video art, fiction, experimental works or combinations of all these genres.

The course is aimed at students, artists, filmmakers, performers and anyone who wants to document a slice of life through the language of cinema.

During the course, you will use the tools made available by modern technology: from smartphones and simple point-and-shoot cameras to more sophisticated digital video cameras. Speed is the essence of the workshop: you will have the opportunity to work with spontaneity, immediacy and creative freedom, regardless of your previous experience.

At the end of the course, participants who have attended at least 4 of the 5 scheduled lessons will receive a certificate of attendance, which may be used for the possible recognition of 2 CFA academic credits.

Hear from the participants of the RUFA Summer Academy

Course type: group – in person
Participants: Min. 8, Max. 15 | The programme is open to university and fine arts academy students and anyone passionate about photography, cinema and reportage.
Attendance: Monday to Friday, from 9 am to 5 pm
Duration: 6-10 July 2026
Cost: €850.00
Requirements/materials:No entry requirements. Participants must bring their own smartphone/camera
Language: English | Participants are required to have a good command of English.
Lecturer: Stephen Natanson
Campus: RUFA – Via Giuseppe Libetta, 7 – 00154 Rome
Certificate: At the end of the course, participants who have attended at least 4 of the 5 scheduled lessons will receive a certificate of attendance, for the recognition of 2 CFU
Language: English | Participants are required to have a good command of English.
Lecturer: Marta Jovanovic
Campus: RUFA – Via Degli Ausoni 7/A-Rome + several visits around the city.
Certificate: At the end of the course, participants who have attended at least 4 of the 5 scheduled lessons will receive a certificate of attendance, which may be used for the possible recognition of 2 CFU

Day 1
Course presentation and programme.
Lesson on narrative languages, structure, rhythm, improvisation and experimental shooting and editing techniques. We will explore how modern technology can shorten the traditional production and distribution process and how it is possible to produce high-quality films using relatively simple tools at minimal or no cost.
Operation of point-and-shoot cameras and professional digital video cameras.
Each participant will immediately begin writing and shooting their first short film.
The aim is to quickly sketch out what you want to say and, after viewing the result and receiving feedback, learn from your mistakes and shoot again or make another film.

Day 2
Lesson on how to choose your own point of view in order to capture reality directly, represent it authentically and experiment with different techniques for producing a film quickly.
Editing of the first film.

Day 3
Lesson on Neorealism, Nouvelle Vague and Cinéma Vérité.
Writing and shooting of the second film.

Day 4
Editing of the second film.
Individual and group review session of the two films.

Day 5
Final cut and final presentation of the two works, belonging to one or more of the genres presented.

Stephen Natanson Stephen Natanson is a film director and producer. He has travelled the world making documentaries, short films and commercials. He has worked for major Italian, European and American television networks (RAI, Mediaset, Antenne Deux, BBC, ITV, CBS, CNN, ABC, etc.). His documentaries have competed at festivals in Venice, Berlin, Rio, New York, Chicago, Toronto, Mumbai, Florence, San Francisco, London, Montreal, Hong Kong, Warsaw, Gothenburg, Auckland and Mannheim. He has won several international awards, including the Nastro d’Argento and Globo d’Oro, and has been nominated for the David di Donatello. He graduated from the Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia in Rome and the American Film Institute in Los Angeles.

RUFA Winter-Summer Course Students and Alumni: 10% RUFA Students and Alumni: 50% Very Early Bird (– 15%): by 31 December Early Bird (– 10%): by 31 March Course/group/family package: contact [corsibrevi@unirufa.it](mailto:corsibrevi@unirufa.it) Participants who, after completing the course, enrol in a First- or Second-Level Academic Diploma Programme will receive a 10% reduction on the annual tuition fee for the first year of attendance.

RUFA has established several agreements with facilities providing housing services. For further information, please contact [corsibrevi@unirufa.it](mailto:corsibrevi@unirufa.it)