Home to one of the most famous film restoration institutes, several film festivals and, in the summer months, Europe’s largest outdoor film screen in Piazza Maggiore, Bologna is truly passionate about cinema!
Even though the number of small and medium-sized, local cinemas has been steadily decreasing and most young people head to the multiplexes to see the new blockbusters, in Bologna film lovers can still find and enjoy some small, intimate theatres and find refuge in the Cineteca’s mix of old and new films in the original language. With the long-awaited inauguration of renovated Cinema Modernissimo, in November 2023, our city has gained one of the most beautiful movie theatres in the world, which shows a wide range of both old and new auteur and popular cinema. Cinema Modernissimo must be seen to be believed and the record-breaking number of spectators that visit it are testament to the fact that Bolognese love going to the cinema.
Cineteca di Bologna
Cineteca di Bologna (Bologna’s Film Institute), an internationally renowned film archive, home to more than 80,000 films, operates the city’s art house cinema, Cinema Lumière. Here you can see a vast selection of films and retrospectives dedicated to specific directors and genres from the world over. Their beautiful library Renzo Renzi, is definitely worth a visit and there you can find books and documents about film and photography and even rent some DVDs. To purchase tickets for these two cinemas as well as books about film, posters, catalogues, DVDs and cool merchandise, go to the Cineteca’s bookshop at Voltone del Podestà, behind Piazza Maggiore.
Cineteca has also become home to a vast collection of archival photographs of Bologna – Bologna fotografata. This fascinating archive is now available to all those curious about Bologna’s history.
Consider supporting this world-class institution by purchasing their inexpensive annual membership cards (directly at the cinema or online at https://cinetecadibologna.it/sostienici/). By using these cards –Amici e Sostenitori di Cineteca, you accumulate points which grant you discounted admissions and other benefits.
Cinema Lumière
via Azzo Gardino 65
Tel. 051 2195311
Cinema Modernissimo
Piazza Re Enzo 3
Tel. 051 20194150
OTHER SELECT CINEMAS
Cinema Europa
via Pietralata 55
Cinema Chaplin
Piazza di Porta Saragozza 5
tel. 051 585253
Cinema Odeon
via Mascarella 3
Rialto Studio
via Rialto 19
via Fondazza 4
via Bellinzona 6A
(includes Medica, Jolly, Arlechino and Bristol)
FILM FESTIVALS
Bologna hosts several film festivals a year. The most popular is the Sotto le Stelle del Cinema, an open-air film feast held in Piazza Maggiore during the months of July and August. International films in original language are featured; the schedule is posted around town, and on the Cineteca website. An enormous screen with surround sound is erected in the piazza, making for a unique, unforgettable summer experience. Shows generally begin at 22:00, but you need to arrive beforehand to claim a seat. From June to September, Cineteca also organizes another open-air cinema, the Arena Puccini.
Other Cineteca festivals include the Human Rights Nights Festival held in the spring, and the Biografilm Festival – A Celebration of Lives is held in June. The annual Cinema Ritrovato in July is one of Europe’s most important festivals featuring rare and restored films, attracting cinema scholars and researchers from around the world. For more information, see the Cineteca website www.cinetecadibologna.it