The 21st international Arthouse Cinema Training starts in Berlin

The 21st Arthouse Cinema Training Opens in Berlin, Uniting Participants from Six Continents

48 participants from 27 countries and more than 20 Trainers from nine countries: On Monday, 19 August, the 21st edition of the Arthouse Cinema Training kicked-off in Berlin, Germany. 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, 25 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.



Raymond Walravens (Rialto, Amsterdam) and Maeve Cooke (Access Cinema, Dublin) two seasoned industry experts who will accompany the trainees throughout the week as tutors.

Opening cocktail with international guests in Berlin

Together with 120 guests, the ACT opening reception – hosted by CICAE, AG Kino, and MUBI – marked the beginning of the training on Monday evening at Katerschmaus, a river-side venue at the vibrant creative hub Holzmarkt. 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.









Christian Bräuer, CICAE president, and Peter Dinges, CEO of the German Federal Film Board

“All of us at the CICAE are honoured to welcome cinema professionals from across the globe for the Arthouse Cinema Training here in Berlin. We are joined by our belief in the transformative power of the art that we all love so much and by our wish to form lasting connections across borders", says CICAE-president Dr. Christian Bräuer.

In his opening speech, Bräuer pointed out the relevance of the Training as a means to advance professionalization, innovation, connection, and cross-cultural understanding and the unwavering commitment of the Arthouse movement to fostering diversity, respect and dialogue across cultures.

"Let us be clear: The arthouse movement stands for democracy, respect, and a plurality of perspectives and with all those whose voices are being marginalised, threatened or silenced, anytime, anywhere".

For Bräuer, the Arthouse Cinema Training and Berlin are a perfect match: "Berlin has a longstanding tradition of filmmaking and cinema and boasts the largest number of independent theatres worldwide. Berlin, today, is proud of its diversity. Its vibrant internationally oriented cultural landscape is the lifeblood of the city - and cinema is an integral part of it. That is why arthouse and this city go so well together.

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".












Opening cocktail sponsored by MUBI at Katerschmaus @ Holzmarkt 25


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 Holzmarkt, the Training's participants will discover numerous iconic venues of the Berlin arthouse scene during visits and get-togethers such as Delphi LUX, Il Kino, Passage and Wolf Kino.

We are looking forward to a week of learning, sharing, and growing together.

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 Comscore.





Holzmarkt 25, venue of the training