Asiaticafilmmediale, encounters with Asian cinema is is a unique opportunity to discover the most interesting and original representatives of Asian cinema in Rome. It was created in 2000, to establish an original channel of communication between Italy and Asia. The festival alternated screenings of films by young directors, with projections of important masterpieces and films by internationally acclaimed directors in the attempt of giving a significant and extensive outlook on extremely different cinematographic traditions.

Almost all films screened have been Italian, or even European, previews. The Audience Award and the City of Rome Award have been assigned during every edition. In 2005 two new international City of Rome Awards were introduced: Best feature film and Best Documentary. Two distinct juries were formed thanks to the collaboration of celebrated Italian personalities. In the same year a section Cinema and Literature was introduced with the contribution of important personalities like Bengali writer Mahasweta Devi and Italian author Dacia Maraini. Asia di Carta (Asia on Paper), a new show dedicated to promoting awareness of publications about Asia edited in Italy was also introduced. Ultimately the 2007 edition saw the participation of the Netpac Award’s jury, an international organization strongly dedicated to developing Asian cinema.