What Does the Future Hold for Arthouse Cinemas?
As part of the Cannes Film Festival's Cinemas Club programme, industry leaders gathered on 19 May for a discussion entitled What Does the Future Hold for Arthouse Cinemas? The panel brought together representatives from exhibition, festivals and industry organisations to examine the challenges and opportunities facing arthouse cinemas around the world.
Moderated by Laurent Cotillon, the discussion featured Alicia Kozma, Vice President of Art House Convergence, Christian Bräuer, President of CICAE, Laurent Callonnec, Treasurer of CICAE, and Ilda Santiago, CEO of the Rio International Film Festival.
The conversation explored how arthouse cinemas are adapting to a rapidly changing environment while continuing to serve as spaces for discovery, cultural exchange and community engagement.
A central theme was the evolving definition of arthouse cinema. The panellists agreed that arthouse venues are no longer defined solely by the films they screen, but increasingly by the communities they build and the experiences they offer. Across different regions, arthouse cinemas are becoming cultural hubs where audiences gather not only to watch films, but also to engage in discussions, events and shared experiences.
The return of younger audiences to cinemas was highlighted as one of the most encouraging developments for the sector. Speakers noted the growing popularity of repertory screenings and international films among Gen Z audiences, who are often drawn to the collective cinema experience and show little hesitation towards subtitled content.
The panel also addressed challenges facing independent exhibition, including market concentration, the importance of theatrical windows, support for independent filmmakers and the need for sustainable business models. At the same time, participants expressed optimism about the resilience of arthouse cinemas and their ability to offer an alternative to increasingly algorithm-driven media environments.
Reflecting on the role of independent cinemas, Christian Bräuer underlined the values at the heart of the arthouse movement:
“ We stand for the independence of filmmaking. We stand with the creative people and we stand for humanity and human filmmaking. We don't stand first of all for algorithms. ”
The discussion concluded on a positive note, emphasising that despite ongoing challenges, arthouse cinemas remain vital cultural spaces that continue to attract audiences seeking diverse stories, meaningful encounters and the unique experience of watching films together.
Watch the full panel discussion here:
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15.06.2026