Once Upon a Rex (2026): Cast, Story and Release Details

Prepared by Movies Dock Editorial

Once Upon a Rex is a short Italian documentary about the 70-year history of a beloved cinema in Padua. Directed by Salvatore Lampitelli and written by Davide Tognon, the film focuses on the memories and legacy associated with the venue, known as Padua’s largest screen.

Once Upon a Rex is a 2026 documentary centered on one of Padua’s cherished cinemas. With a 30-minute runtime, the film looks back across seven decades of the venue’s history and the place it has held in local cultural life.

Directed by Salvatore Lampitelli and written by Davide Tognon, the Italian production comes from Thelmo. Its Italian title, C'Era una Volta il Rex, and tagline, “Lo schermo più grande di Padova,” point to a film concerned with memory, cinema-going and a notable local screen.

Once Upon a Rex movie details

Story without spoilers

The documentary revisits the 70-year history of a beloved cinema in Padua. Rather than following a fictional plot, Once Upon a Rex is structured around remembrance, using the history of the venue as its central subject. The supplied synopsis does not identify individual contributors, specific events or particular periods explored in the film, so the focus remains on the cinema’s enduring presence and legacy.

What to expect

Viewers can expect a concise, place-focused documentary about cinema history in Padua. The 30-minute format suggests a compact account rather than an expansive feature-length survey, while the premise emphasizes recollection and the emotional importance of a long-standing movie theater. The film is in Italian and is categorized by its documentary subject rather than a listed genre.

Cast and creative team

Once Upon a Rex is directed by Salvatore Lampitelli and written by Davide Tognon. No cast members are listed in the supplied information, which is consistent with the film’s documentary focus.

Release and production context

Once Upon a Rex is an Italian production from Thelmo. It is listed with a release date of November 6, 2026, a runtime of 30 minutes and Italian as its spoken language. The film’s original title is C'Era una Volta il Rex, and its status is listed as Released.

Production companies: Thelmo

Reported production figures:
Budget $500

Movies Dock view

With its attention on a beloved Padua cinema and seven decades of history, Once Upon a Rex presents a compact documentary record of a local screen’s lasting significance. Its subject gives the film a clear cultural and historical focus without requiring a fictional storyline.

Film data:
TMDB