The Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia (Experimental Center of Cinematography), also known as the Scuola Nazionale di Cinema, is Italy’s national film school headquartered in Rome. Founded in 1935 as part of the Cinecittà Studios, it stands as the oldest film school in Western Europe.
Established during the interwar period, the school was created to promote the art and technique of cinematography and film. The institution became a training ground for influential Italian filmmakers; directors such as Michelangelo Antonioni and Giuseppe De Santis attended during the 1940s. During World War II, much of the original production equipment was lost to destruction or theft by Nazi occupiers, with post-war recovery efforts in Germany and the Soviet Union proving largely unsuccessful.
About the Centro Sperimentale
The school operates as a national institution dedicated to cinematographic education and research, with the original facility in Rome supplemented by satellite educational hubs across five other Italian regions. It continues to function as a foundational training center for Italian cinema professionals.
Details
- Founded: 1935, Rome
- Part of: Cinecittà Studios complex
- Status: Italy’s national film school; oldest film school in Western Europe
- Notable alumni: Michelangelo Antonioni, Giuseppe De Santis
Frequently asked questions
When was the Centro Sperimentale established?
The school was founded in 1935 in Rome as part of the Cinecittà Studios, making it the oldest film school in Western Europe.
Which notable directors studied there?
Michelangelo Antonioni and Giuseppe De Santis attended the school during the 1940s, and Marco Bellocchio visited frequently in the 1960s.
What happened to the school during World War II?
Much of the original production equipment was stolen or destroyed by Nazi occupiers during the war, and post-war attempts to locate equipment in Germany and the Soviet Union were largely unsuccessful.
