58 participants from 25 countries on four continents and 30 Trainers, tutors, and speakers: On Monday, 24 August, the 23rd edition of the Arthouse Cinema Training kicked off in Berlin, Germany - marking the biggest edition in the programme's history. The renowned initiative gathers arthouse exhibitors and industry experts for a seven-day intensive programme of talks, panels and interactive workshops surrounding arthouse cinema exhibition. It will conclude on Sunday, 30 August.
The Arthouse Cinema Training is the only programme of its kind, focussing on global capacity building, fostering intercultural exchange, and international connection across the arthouse sector and beyond.
In his opening speech, CICAE President Dr. Christian Bräuer pointed out the relevance of the Training as a means to advance professionalization, innovation, connection, and cross-cultural understanding, as well as the unwavering commitment of the Arthouse movement to fostering diversity, respect, and dialogue across cultures.
The represented countries of this year's training are: Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Croatia, Estonia, Finland, Georgia, Germany, Indonesia, Italy, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Nepal, the Netherlands, Poland, Russia, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Slovenia, South Africa, Switzerland, the UK, USA.
To support this multinational context, the 2026 Arthouse Cinema Training kicked off with an Intercultural Connecting Workshop, animated by Hamida Giyasbayli, creating a space for participants to connect, exchange perspectives, and explore the richness of working together across cultures.
Opening cocktail with international guests in Berlin
Together with over a hundred guests from across the audiovisual industry, the ACT opening reception – hosted by CICAE, AG Kino, and MUBI – marked the beginning of the training on Monday evening at Data Space, a vibrant venue in the center of Berlin. It brought together the programme’s international participants and trainers as well as partners and friends from across the Berlin cinema, film, and cultural sector.
The importance of the Training was also reflected in its record participation: for the first time in the history of the programme, the number of participants clearly surpassed 50. This milestone is not only a testament to the Training’s growing relevance, but also a powerful sign of the vitality of our sector: independent and arthouse cinema is thriving and pulsating all around the world.
We are able to realise this exceptional initiative thanks to the vision and ongoing support of our funders: Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg, the Berlin Senate Chancellery, FFA, and CNC.
The Arthouse Cinema Training remains a unique experience and source of knowledge and connection for the sector. It boasts over 1000 alumni, many of whom remain central figures of their industry.
Alongside the many exclusive lectures in the vibrant venue of Data Space, the Training's participants will discover numerous iconic venues of the Berlin arthouse scene during visits and get-togethers such as Il Kino, Sinema Transtopia, and the recently reopened cinemas Kino International and Arsenal Filminstitut.
We are looking forward to a week of learning, sharing, and growing together.
For more information please visit www.cicae.org
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, CNC, and our partners MUBI and Rentrak.
