The ACT is the arthouse world’s most important initiative for capacity building, knowledge transfer, fostering international connection and promoting intercultural exchange within the industry and beyond. In the past, many of the Training’s 1000 alumni have moved on to take leading roles across the international audiovisual ecosystem.

In times, where populism, misinformation, and violence are on the rise in many parts of the world, the Arthouse Cinema Training takes a stand for global cooperation and dialogue. It empowers participants and collaborators to fight for the freedom of expression and a vibrant exchange of ideas across boundaries and continents.
The Training offers numerous networking opportunities throughout the week and beyond. Moreover, it features talks on industry topics such as business planning, programming and audience development, A.I. and data, sustainability and green cinema, diversity equity and inclusion, team management, young audiences and eventization. During the Training, participants also got together in workshop groups to develop a concept for an independent cinema aided and accompanied by experienced experts from across the world.

A Programme Overview

Participants from all over the world were welcomed by the CICAE Team with a short walking tour in Berlin, in the middle of a beautiful sunny day.

In the evening, an opening cocktail sponsored by MUBI took place, where the participants had the opportunity to share and exchange experiences and begin to establish professional networks to be strengthened throughout the week. 

Day 2: The second day of training was all about the core structures of a cinema:

1. Javier Pachón (CineCiutat/PROMIO) : "Management of a Cinema: Partnerships,
   Fundraising and Negotiation"
2. Raymond Walravens (Rialto Cinema, Amsterdam): “How to structure a business plan”
3. Bernd Zickert and Franziska Strebl (Comscore, Munich): "STATE OF THE ARThouse — Watching Through Data Glasses"
4. Camilla Baier and Rachel Pronger (Invisible Women, Edinburgh/Berlin): "Curating Archives, Connecting Audiences: Strategies for Showcasing Film History"
5. Marlena Gabryszewska (Stowarzyszenie Kin Studyjnych, Poland): "Audience Development Workshop for Cinemas: Expanding Reach, Deepening Engagement".

Our special thanks also go to Comscore for sponsoring the lunch and sharing their unique insights into the sector.

The day closed with drinks and a screening of the latest Jury Prize in Cannes Sirāt (Oliver Laxe, 2025) at the independent Il Kino theatre.

Day 3: The third day was all about audiences and curation, with talks by:

1. Anne Mayer and Eva Buchmann (Wolf Kino, Berlin): “Wolf Kino: Programming Your Friendly Neighbourhood Cinema” + Cinema Visit @ Wolf Kino, Berlin
2. Petra Rockenfeller (Lichtburg Filmpalast, Oberhausen) “Your Future: Children And Youth Cinema”
3. Lela Meadow-Conner (mamafilm/Art House Convergence, USA) “No Distributor? No Problem: Reclaiming Theatrical for Independent Film”
4. Julien Razafindranaly (Films Boutique, Berlin): "International Distribution of Arthouse Films"

In the evening, the group attended an exclusive preview of Kelly Reichardt’s THE MASTERMIND at Delphi LUX cinema, organised by the training’s partner MUBI.

Day 4: "Gathering Inspiration":

1. Katherine Bradshaw (MUBI, Berlin): "MUBI Practical Exercise"
2. Sara Frain (Picturehouse, London): "Case Study: Picturehouse"
3. Dmitry Frolov (Independent Moving Image Curator, Berlin): “Cinema 2.0: Practical AI Applications for Film Theatres”
4. Alicia Kozma (Indiana University Cinema/Art House Convergence, USA): "Cultivating Belonging and Inclusion in Community Arts Organizations"
5. Bruno Miguel Castro (Film curator, Portugal/UK): "Enough Faffing About: A Gamified
   Workshop on Running Cinemas"

Day 5: "Marketing and Space":

1. Daniel Sibbers (Yorck Kinogruppe, Berlin): "Cinema as a Brand"
2. Jean-Marc Lalo (Atelier d'Architecture Lalo, Paris): "Optimise Your Cinema Space"
3. Melanie Hoyes and Keir Oldfield-Lewis (British Film Institute, London): "Social Impact Cinemas: Part 1"

During the programme’s morning field trip, the participants got the chance to visit the award-winning Delphi Lux cinema in Berlin’s vibrant City West.
In the evening, the participants gathered to work on their "Build your Cinema" projects.

Day 6: Focus on diversity and sustainability:

1. Melanie Hoyes and Keir Oldfield-Lewis (British Film Institute, London): "Social Impact Cinemas: Part 2" - with a special focus on environmental sustainability 
2. Evgeny Gusyatinskiy (International Rotterdam Film Festival): "Programming Films from Underrepresented Regions"
3. Bethan Hughes and Galo E. Rivera (Sinema Transtopia, Berlin): "Sinema Transtopia: Rethinking the Role of Cinema"
4. Claire Scordel (CICAE, Berlin): "European Arthouse Cinema Day: Presentation"

At the end of the day, the ACT participants finalized their group projects and rehearsed their pitching for the next morning.

Day 7: On Sunday our eight participant groups pitched their “Build Your Cinema” projects in front of an audience composed of ACT participants, tutors, and invited observers.

The projects presented were:

1. Cinema Verdun, Monreal, Canada
2. FilmLokaal, Rotterdam, Netherlands (1st Project)
3. The Hive Cinema, Kigali, Rwanda
4. Sinema Kartal, Istanbul, Turkey
5. Kino Tun, Yerevan, Armenia
6. The Sunnyside, New York, USA
7. FilmLokaal, Rotterdam, Netherlands (2nd Project)
8. The Factory, Austin, USA

After carefully reviewing all the presentations, the tutors and experts provided feedback to each group, bringing their input to the final session. The Training closed with the awarding of the certificates and a farewell barbecue.

Network Talk: The Politics of Arthouse CICAE President Dr. Christian Bräuer and Arthouse Convergence representative Dr. Alicia Kozma gave a talk on the politics of arthouse and the importance on networking. Their takeaway: Be politically active, be politically aware, connect, collaborate, and communicate. 

Seven Days in Berlin that brought the Arthouse world closer together! The Training wrapped with a BBQ on the terrasse of the training's venue. The participants of the Training will join an active alumni network of over 1000 industry professionals across the world. 
The next alumni meeting will take place in February 2026 during the Berlin international Film Festival BERLINALE.
The CICAE wishes to thank its participants, trainers, partners, funders and friends for making this week possible.

The Arthouse Cinema Training was made possible through the generous support, vision, and initiative of our funders: Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg, The Berlin Senate Chancellery, FFA - Filmförderungsanstalt, CNC, and our partners MUBI and Comscore.