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What we celebrate

Finally, European filmgoers and passionate arthouse cinema operators have their own day to celebrate:
EUROPEAN ARTHOUSE CINEMA DAY
Cinemas are an important part of the cultural landscape and enrich communities everywhere – in cities and in the countryside. They bring people together, regardless of age, origin, education or income.
With over 100 million guests in Europe each year, arthouse cinemas play a crucial role in promoting cultural diversity and showcasing young talent.

Our project:

Arthouse cinemas exist all over Europe and flourish in areas with good infrastructure and strong supporting organisations. European Art Cinema Day aims to strengthen cinemas in regions that don’t have their own arthouse unions, develop support structures and increase the visibility of arthouse films in general.

initiator

The CICAE

The CICAE – the international union of art cinemas – is a network of national cinema unions, independent cinemas, film festivals and distributors. It was founded by the German, French, Dutch and Swiss art cinema unions in Wiesbaden in 1955 to promote cultural diversity in cinemas and film festivals. It also supports the distribution of important and vulnerable films from all over the world.

More than 4,000 screens in 42 countries

12 national and regional arthouse associations

  • AFCAE France
  • AG Kino – Gilde Germany
  • FICE Italy
  • AIACE Italy
  • Independent Pictures/SSV Austria
  • AQCAE Canada
  • Art Mozi Hungary
  • VAC Belgium
  • NAAS - the Network of Arab Alternative Screens 7 different countries
  • Riksföreningen Biograferna Sweden
  • Vereniging Nederlands Filmtheater Overleg – NFO Netherlands
  • PROMIO Spain

13 film festivals (including Panorama and Forum of the Berlinale, Quinzaine des Réalisateurs in Cannes, Sarajevo Film Festival and Seville European Film Festival)

in partnership with Europa Cinemas

977 cinemas in 42 countries Europa Cinemas is the premier film theatre network focusing on European films. It was founded in 1992 with funding from the MEDIA programme and the Centre national du cinéma et de l'image animée (CNC). Today, it comprises a total of 2,350 screens at 977 cinemas and spans 596 cities in 42 countries.