70th anniversary of the Arthouse Movement: CICAE elects its new Board and issues call to safeguard democracy and uphold cinema diversity
CICAE Board of Directors (from left to right)
First row: Hannele Marjavaara (Kino Tapiola, Finland), Mira Staleva (Dom Na Kinoto, Bulgaria), Dr Christian Bräuer (AG Kino – Gilde, Germany), Marlena Gabryszewska (Stowarzyszenie Kin Studyjnych, Poland), Guillaume Bachy (AFCAE, France), Malika Rabahallah (Filmfest Hamburg, Germany), Tanja Helm (Cinematograph & Leokino, Austria).
Second row: Eva Demeter, (Art Mozi Egyesület, Hungary), Michele Crocchiola (FICE, Italy), Sebastian Naumann (CICAE), Javier Pachón (PROMIO, Spain), Tobias Faust (Schweizer Studiofilmverband SSV, Switzerland), Laurent Callonec (Cinema L'Ecran, France), Detlef Rossmann (Casablanca-Kino, Germany)
As the global arthouse movement and the CICAE celebrate their 70th anniversary this year during the Cannes International Film Festival, the association’s newly elected board of directors, which consists of exhibitors and industry professionals from 14 countries, asserted that independent cinemas around the world remain incubators of innovation, crucial pillars of the health of a competitive and sustainable audiovisual industry, and uniquely committed to programmes that showcase diversity, democracy, and artistic freedom; sometimes under difficult circumstances. As vital cultural hubs for their local communities and through open exchange with audiences, filmmakers and their works, cinemas promote tolerance, freedom of expression and provide a crucial space for core democratic values as a whole.
The Board affirms CICAE’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. It maintains its support of a vibrant, multilateral democratic society and calls for ensuring the freedom and safety of film- and cinema professionals worldwide. In this spirit, the CICAE Board reaffirms its continued solidarity with filmmakers and cultural workers threatened in the exercise of their profession worldwide.
“ For 70 years, CICAE has championed the global arthouse movement, strengthening cinema's role as a place that brings people together, while promoting cultural diversity and the spread of film as an art form. With their bold, professional programming and passionate, skilled audience development, arthouse cinemas continue to be the driving force behind the independent film ecosystem. In these times of mounting global crises and social polarization, our members are witnessing remarkable interest in independent cinema across all generations. Now more than ever, arthouse cinemas need protection and support to thrive as cultural anchors and economic drivers in their local communities. As spaces that showcase diversity and different perspectives in ways few other art forms can, cinemas are increasingly indispensable as institutions that build community, says Dr Christian Bräuer, President of CICAE. ”
“ In today's world of global disruptions and emerging trade barriers, the AI revolution, tech giants' growing monopolies, fragmented trade policies, and algorithm-fuelled social isolation and polarization, protecting and promoting the community-centred work of arthouse cinemas is vital. Locally rooted arthouse venues serve as marketplaces for free ideas and stand as the antidote to algorithmic feeds and ‚three-second truths’. They remain essential pillars for the film market, societal dialogue and democratic values. Here in Cannes, we're experiencing firsthand how effectively the European arthouse ecosystem operates through its network of independent filmmakers, producers, festivals, distributors and cinemas. We also see why unity and professionalization in our industry matter so deeply. In this dynamic landscape, where opportunities and challenges are often two sides of the same coin, I'm honoured to continue this work as CICAE President alongside our newly elected board. ”
CICAE Board Elects Representatives from 14 Countries
The CICAE’s newly elected board is of directors is younger and represents of more countries and regions than ever before; a clear reflection of the shifting dynamics in the sector. Accordingly, the board consists of 12 women and 6 men from 14 countries, surpassing gender parity. Elected were:
Bureau (Executive Committee)
President: Dr Christian Bräuer, AG Kino, German
Vice-Presidents:
Guillaume Bachy, AFCAE, France
Michele Crocchiola, FICE, Italy
Marlena Gabryszewska, Stowarzyszenie Kin Studyjnych, Poland
Peggy Johnson, Loft Cinema, USA
Treasurer: Laurent Callonec, Cinema L’Ecran, France
General Secretary: Hannele Marjavaara, Kino Tapiola, Finland
Member of the Board: Mira Staleva, Dom Na Kinoto, Bulgaria
Board of Directors
Members A (National and regional associations):
Michele Crocchiola, FICE, ItalyGiuliana Fantoni, FICE, Italy
Marlena Gabryszewska, Stowarzyszenie Kin Studyjnych, Poland
Javier Pachón, PROMIO, Spain
Eva Demeter, Art Mozi Egyesület, Hungary
France: Guillaume Bachy, Laurent Callonec
Germany:Christian Bräuer, Petra Rockenfeller
Switzerland:Tobias Faust
Members B (Individual arthouse cinemas):
Marijana Bosnjak, Kinematografi Osijek, Croatia
Tanja Helm, Cinematograph & Leokino, Austria
Hannele Marjavaara, Kino Tapiola, Finland
Mira Staleva, Dom Na Kinoto, Bulgaria
Roxanne Sayegh, Cinéma Beaubien, Cinéma du Parc, Cinéma du Musée, Canada
Members C (Festivals and film organisations):
Malika Rabahallah, Filmfest Hamburg, Germany
Peggy Johnson, Loft Film Fest, USA
Catharine des Forges, ICO, UK
New Honorary Members:
Domenico Dinoia, Italy
Tibor Bíró, Hungary
“ – Guillaume Bachy, CICAE Vice-President & AFCAE President (France) The 70th anniversary of the Arthouse movement is not just a milestone for the CICAE - it's an opportunity to pay tribute to all those who have shaped this unique world, from the independent exhibitors who keep the sector alive with their passion, to the audiences who keep independent cinemas alive with their love of films from around the world. International cooperation and dialogue are more than just assets: they are the very foundation of the vitality of cinemas around the world, and more broadly of the entire audiovisual sector. In these times of political crisis, polarization and rising nationalism, the mission of the arthouse movement - to connect cultures and audiences - is more crucial than ever. We have so much to learn from each other. Arthouse cinemas all over the world offer unique and complementary experiences. That's why I believe deeply in the power of initiatives that connect us across borders - not only to share our knowledge, but also to strengthen our solidarity and bring this precious cultural ecosystem to life together. ”
70 Years Arthouse Movement: Assembly Discusses Changing Perspectives of the Cinema Sector
During the Assembly, members from 14 countries took stock of the state of the arthouse sector as well as political and economic developments across their regions. Key takeaways were that arthouse cinemas still reach substantial audience and that their curation and connection to audiences remains crucial for any film’s success. Wherever Arthouse Cinemas are empowered to innovate, where tailor-made funding enables them to experiment and grow, they remain a uniquely diverse and crucial pillar of the audiovisual industries and help films and their audiences to thrive.Arthouse cinemas’ very diversity is what makes this industry so uniquely competitive in an otherwise increasingly concentrated market. Moreover, in an increasingly polarised world in crisis, cinemas remain safe harbours of diverse and equitable democratic discourse and provide essential forums for debate and encounter with varying perspectives and crucial hubs for their local communities.
70 Years: International Confederation of Arthouse Cinemas
Founded in 1955, the CICAE (Confédération Internationale des Cinémas d’Art et d’Essai) is a non-profit association and the global representative of arthouse cinemas; bringing together over 2400 independent movie theatres with more than 4400 screens in 45 countries through the collaboration of twelve national and regional arthouse cinema networks (in France, Germany, Italy, Hungary, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Venezuela and the Network of Arab Alternative Screens), as well as individual cinemas, not yet represented by a national network, and festivals across the world.
The list of our current members is available here : https://cicae.org/members/members
This year marks the 70th anniversary of the CICAE and, with it, seven decades since the birth of the global arthouse movement.
Find out all about the CICAE and its activities here: https://cicae.org/
For questions, please contact the CICAE’s Managing Director, Dr Sebastian Naumann, at sebastian.naumann@cicae.org or +49 (0)30 439710151.
For pictures of the General Assembly as well as logos and other visuals, please see here
The CICAE continues to expand its activities to enable international collaboration across the sector. The associations numerous projects include the development of the Global Day of Action of independent cinemas, the European Arthouse Cinema Day, returning for its 10th edition on 23 November 2025 to take a joint stand for diversity, equity, and democracy; the Arthouse Cinema Training (18-24 August in Berlin, Germany), which each year unites exhibitors from over 30 countries in Berlin, and the expansion of the Arthouse Cinema Awards, in which juries of cinema exhibitors at international festivals around the world shine a spotlight on films with special cultural and artistic value. The platform Arthouse Cinema Hub enables cinemas around the world to share best practice and highlight their work and initiatives (www.arthousecinemahub.com). Various additional meeting and lecture formats are being developed and realised to enable the exchange and connection of the sector throughout the year.
20.05.2025