Europa Cinemas Network Conference

Europa Cinemas is the network of European cinemas committed to programming European films, and every two years it brings the network together. The organiser describes a gathering of over 500 professionals — network exhibitors, distributors, sales agents and representatives of cultural and political institutions — from more than 30 countries, focused on film circulation and audience development.

The 2026 edition runs from Thursday 26 to Sunday 29 November 2026 in Barcelona. The previous edition, the 23rd, was held in Vilnius in 2024; the 2022 Paris edition was the largest to date, with 600 delegates from 52 countries.

Past editions have combined case studies and presentations from network cinemas, debates on the wider market, and a slate of European film previews — twelve in Vilnius in 2024. Europa Cinemas also presents its annual awards, including Best Programming, Best Young Audience Activity and Entrepreneur of the Year. The 2022 edition launched the network's charters on gender balance and inclusion and on environmental sustainability.

For an arthouse programmer or independent operator this is less about booking and more about practice: what other European venues are doing on young audiences, membership, data and programming, and a chance to meet distributors of European titles.

Registration for 2026 is open to network exhibitors through the Europa Cinemas Member Zone. If your cinema is not in the network, the conference is not built for you; joining the network is a separate application process. Europa Cinemas has streamed past editions on its YouTube channel.