48 independent and art house for the cinema industry worldwide, with dates, cities and organisers.
48 events shown
5 October 2026 – 8 October 2026 · Lucca, Italy
The annual meeting of Italian art-house cinemas: four days of previews of upcoming quality releases, seminars and the FICE awards. Moved from Mantua to Lucca for 2026 and 2027.
Independent and art houseFICE – Federazione Italiana Cinema d'Essai (with ACEC)Official site
4 November 2026 · Bristol, United Kingdom
Annual day for South West exhibitors to review the year, raise challenges and shape the hub's priorities. The 2026 edition opens with a preview screening from Curzon.
Independent and art houseFilm Hub South West (Watershed)Official site
22 November 2026 · Europe (pan-European)
Coordinated day on which 650+ independent cinemas across 40+ countries run special screenings and events to promote arthouse cinema. Participating cinemas get discounted film offers, DCP slides and marketing material; registration is through the organiser's cinema area.
Independent and art houseCICAE with Europa Cinemas (Creative Europe MEDIA co-funded)Official siteFull guide
26 November 2026 – 29 November 2026 · Barcelona, Spain
Biennial conference of the Europa Cinemas network (1,290 cinemas in 39 countries) with 500+ exhibitors, distributors and policymakers discussing audience development, AI, data and film circulation. Includes a technology workshop for exhibitors; sessions are live-streamed.
Independent and art houseEuropa CinemasOfficial siteFull guide
2 December 2026 · Bristol, United Kingdom
Launch and ideas day, in Bristol and online, for Sound of Cinema, BFI FAN's UK-wide season for May-October 2027 marking the centenary of synchronised sound. Exhibitors can plan activity and funding applications for the season.
Independent and art houseBFI Film Audience NetworkOfficial site
12 January 2027 – 13 January 2027 · Marseille, France
Two-day professional meeting of French 'recherche et découverte' art-house cinemas, with previews and discussions on auteur programming and audience building.
Independent and art houseGNCR – Groupement National des Cinémas de Recherche (CNC-supported)Official site
9 February 2027 · Berlin, Germany
One-day innovation conference on the future of cinema-going, held the day before the Berlinale, with international panels on audience development, market consolidation and technology. Panels are streamed; aimed at exhibitors and their distribution partners.
Independent and art houseAG Kino – Gilde deutscher FilmkunsttheaterOfficial site
11 February 2027 – 18 February 2027 · Berlin, Germany
Screenings of Berlinale titles organised for member art-house cinemas so programmers can assess festival films for their screens.
Independent and art houseAG Kino – Gilde deutscher FilmkunsttheaterOfficial site
4 March 2027 · Nationwide (participating cinemas), United States
Annual celebration day on which independent cinemas across North America screen a shared slate of special programming. A ready-made marketing hook and programming package for art-house venues.
Independent and art houseArt House ConvergenceOfficial siteFull guide
14 April 2027 · Nationwide (participating venues), Canada
Annual country-wide celebration of Canadian film in which cinemas, festivals and community venues host screenings. Independent cinemas use it as a programming and publicity hook.
Independent and art houseREEL CANADAOfficial site
12 July 2027 – 16 July 2027 · Chicago, United States
Five-day gathering of North American art-house and independent cinemas with plenaries, educational sessions, distributor presentations, vendor trade show and screenings.
Independent and art houseArt House ConvergenceOfficial siteFull guide
20 September 2027 – 24 September 2027 · Leipzig, Germany
The largest art-house trade fair in the German-speaking world: five days of 60+ pre-release film screenings, distributor presentations and panels, plus the Gilde film awards and MDM cinema programme awards. Where German-speaking art-house programmers book their autumn/winter slates.
Independent and art houseAG Kino – Gilde deutscher FilmkunsttheaterOfficial siteFull guide
Next dates not announced · usually September, annually · last held 14 September 2026 · Łódź, Poland
Annual conference of Poland's art-house cinema network with lectures, panels, distributor line-ups for the new season, premiere screenings and the SKS awards (Cinema Manager of the Year, Distribution of the Year); open also to independent cinemas considering joining.
Independent and art houseStowarzyszenie Kin StudyjnychOfficial site
Next dates not announced · usually September, every two years (2024 Belfast, 2026 Newcastle) · last held 7 September 2026 · Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
UK-wide conference for the 1,900+ exhibitor members of the BFI Film Audience Network, with case studies, workshops and panels on audiences, data, green cinema, marketing, AI and funding. It brings together cinemas, festivals and community exhibitors from every Film Hub.
Independent and art houseBFI Film Audience Network (delivered with the Independent Cinema Office)Official site
Next dates not announced · usually A weekend in November/December, annually (changing host city; 2025 in Dresden) · Germany
The annual national congress of Germany's municipal, student and non-commercial cinemas, focused on cultural film work, programming and cinema policy. Key networking event for community and publicly funded cinemas.
Independent and art houseBundesverband kommunale Filmarbeit (BkF)Official site
Next dates not announced · usually Spring and autumn · last held 12 April 2026 · Dorchester, United Kingdom
Regional viewing days where film societies across South West England watch and score new releases together to guide their programming. The 90th session in April 2026 marked the group's 50th anniversary.
Independent and art houseCinema For All South West Regional GroupOfficial site
Next dates not announced · usually May, annually (within the Encontros de Cinema de Viana) · last held 9 May 2026 · Viana do Castelo, Portugal
Meeting of film societies and community exhibitors from Portugal and Galicia on the future of cinema exhibition, with speakers from Portugal's film institute ICA and Creative Europe MEDIA. Free registration.
Independent and art houseAO NORTE – Encontros de Cinema de VianaOfficial site
Next dates not announced · usually First edition held August 2026 · last held 26 August 2026 · Santiago, Chile
The first national meeting of Chile's independent cinemas, with training sessions, a keynote on audience development and a shared diagnosis of the independent exhibition sector. Aimed squarely at people who run independent and municipal screens.
Independent and art houseRed de Salas de Cine de ChileOfficial site
Next dates not announced · usually August, annually · last held 20 August 2026 · Pátzcuaro, Mexico
IMCINE's national gathering of community film groups, cineclubs, independent screens and itinerant exhibitors, with panels and workshops on circulation and exhibition strategies. The second edition drew about 200 participants from 18 states.
Independent and art houseIMCINE (Instituto Mexicano de Cinematografía)Official site
Next dates not announced · usually May, annually (during the Festival de Cannes) · last held 17 May 2026 · Cannes, France
Annual meeting of Europa Cinemas network exhibitors during Cannes, with network updates and a reception; registration required. Also where the Europa Cinemas Label jury of exhibitors operates at the Directors' Fortnight.
Independent and art houseEuropa CinemasOfficial site
Next dates not announced · usually March, annually during Sofia IFF · last held 18 March 2026 · Sofia, Bulgaria
Four-day audience development and innovation lab for European exhibitors, prioritising cinemas from Central/Eastern Europe and the Balkans; limited to about 35 participants and also live-streamed. The 2026 theme was future-proofing cinemas.
Independent and art houseEuropa Cinemas with Sofia International Film FestivalOfficial site
Next dates not announced · last held 27 August 2026 · Glasgow, United Kingdom
Free evening discussion on the future of film exhibition in Glasgow, with presentations from local programmers and screening organisations.
Independent and art houseFilm Hub Scotland with Creative GlasgowOfficial site
Next dates not announced · usually May, during Flatpack Festival · last held 15 May 2025 · Birmingham, United Kingdom
Film Hub Midlands' yearly get-together for exhibitors, held during Birmingham's Flatpack Festival, for sharing ideas on bringing audiences to the big screen. The hub says it has run for nearly a decade.
Independent and art houseFilm Hub MidlandsOfficial site
Next dates not announced · usually Several per year · last held 15 July 2026 · London, United Kingdom
Morning networking and presentation sessions for London cinemas, festivals, film clubs and exhibition freelancers, covering sector news, funding and audience topics. The most recent was held on a boat venue in Canary Wharf.
Independent and art houseFilm London (Film Hub London)Official site
Next dates not announced · usually Periodic (spring) · last held 26 March 2025 · Nottingham, United Kingdom
Free meet-ups where Midlands exhibitors hear about funding and supported projects and share approaches with peers. Past venues include Broadway Nottingham and MAC Birmingham.
Independent and art houseFilm Hub MidlandsOfficial site
Next dates not announced · usually Several per year in different Northern cities · last held 14 July 2026 · Hull, United Kingdom
Free regional days for exhibitors across the North of England, with member presentations, marketing and audience workshops, and networking. Recent editions were in Bradford (October 2025) and Hull (July 2026), with travel bursaries available.
Independent and art houseFilm Hub NorthOfficial site
Next dates not announced · usually Early March, during Glasgow Film Festival · last held 4 March 2026 · Glasgow, United Kingdom
Film Hub Scotland's free annual gathering for member exhibitors, held within Glasgow Film Festival's Industry Focus, with panels, skills sessions, a distributor slate presentation and networking.
Independent and art houseFilm Hub ScotlandOfficial site
Next dates not announced · usually Late October / early November, during Discovery Film Festival · last held 30 October 2024 · Dundee, United Kingdom
Day of workshops, talks and networking for Scottish exhibitors who work with young audiences or want to start, held during Dundee's Discovery Film Festival for children and young people.
Independent and art houseFilm Hub ScotlandOfficial site
Next dates not announced · usually February, annually · last held 10 February 2026 · London, United Kingdom
Annual one-day forum for exhibitors in South East England, with peer case studies, a UK box-office review, BFI FAN funding updates and networking. The 2026 edition was the sixth.
Independent and art houseFilm Hub South East (Independent Cinema Office)Official site
Next dates not announced · usually March, annually · United Kingdom
Film Hub Wales' annual spring get-together for exhibitors across Wales, with short interactive sessions and a briefing on funds available to members in the coming year. Open to members only.
Independent and art houseFilm Hub WalesOfficial site
Next dates not announced · usually June of even-numbered years; AHC Convening in odd years · last held 22 June 2026 · Chicago, United States
Joint conference for independent cinemas and film festivals with workshops, keynotes, distributor and vendor trade shows and screenings. Focused on sustainability and audience-building for mission-driven exhibitors.
Independent and art houseArt House Convergence and Film Festival AllianceOfficial siteFull guide
Next dates not announced · last held 5 July 2026 · Bucheon, South Korea
A policy forum held during BIFAN on the new distribution environment for independent and art films and on keeping screening venues sustainable. It is directly relevant to Korean art-house cinemas.
Independent and art houseKorean Film Council (KOFIC) and the Korean Independent Film AssociationOfficial site
Next dates not announced · usually June, annually · last held 11 June 2026 · Collioure, France
Two days of previews and meetings for exhibitors and cinema professionals in the Occitanie region.
Independent and art houseADRC with Cinémaginaire and the town of CollioureOfficial site
Next dates not announced · usually June, annually (after Cannes) · last held 11 June 2026 · Dunkirk, France
Post-Cannes viewing days for exhibitors in northern France: screenings of films from the Cannes selections plus round tables on sector issues.
Independent and art houseDe la suite dans les images with ADRC (supported by AFCAE and GNCR)Official site
Next dates not announced · usually Twice a year: spring (April) and autumn (November/December) conferences; host town rotates · last held 28 April 2026 · Šibenik, Croatia
Twice-yearly conference of Croatia's network of about 30 independent (mostly municipal) cinemas, with training, legal and programming sessions; the 21st edition in Šibenik gathered 60+ participants.
Independent and art houseKino mreža (Hrvatska mreža neovisnih kinoprikazivača)Official site
Next dates not announced · last held 4 May 2026 · Seoul, South Korea
A session in the association's 2026 forum series on the role and potential of cine-clubs, community cinemas and microcinemas in Korea's screening ecosystem.
Independent and art houseKorean Independent Film AssociationOfficial site
Next dates not announced · usually July, annually · last held 12 July 2026 · Indianapolis, IN, United States
National conference and expo for operators of historic theatres, many of which run film programmes, covering restoration, operations, fundraising and technology.
Independent and art houseLeague of Historic American TheatresOfficial site
Next dates not announced · usually Autumn, annually since 1996 · last held 19 September 2024 · Kawasaki, Japan
Japan's yearly gathering of independent and mini-theatre cinemas, film festivals, cinematheques and screening groups to share research, discuss film policy and network. The most recent edition listed by the organiser was 2024.
Independent and art houseJapan Community Cinema CenterOfficial site
Next dates not announced · usually September, annually · last held 17 September 2026 · France
Nationwide heritage-film event run in 200+ French cinemas, with restored classics and supporting materials provided to participating venues. A turnkey way for cinemas to programme repertory titles.
Independent and art houseADRC – Agence pour le Développement Régional du CinémaOfficial site
Next dates not announced · usually June, annually · last held 16 June 2026 · Vieux-Boucau-les-Bains, France
Regional professional meeting for exhibitors in south-west France, with previews and discussions organised by the regional cinema development agency.
Independent and art houseADRC with CINA and Du Cinéma Plein Mon CartableOfficial site
Next dates not announced · usually Late August, annually · last held 25 August 2026 · Charlieu, France
Four days of previews for exhibitors (festival titles, young-audience films, documentaries, animation, shorts and heritage) with distributors and filmmakers present, plus a SCARE release workshop. A key back-to-school booking meeting for independent French cinemas.
Independent and art houseADRC with Cinéma Les Halles, ACRIRA, Les Écrans, GRAC and Plein ChampOfficial site
Next dates not announced · usually June, annually · last held 17 June 2026 · Paris and Montreuil, France
Independent distributors' annual meeting with exhibitors: conferences, workshops and previews of independent releases, focused on the distributor–cinema relationship.
Independent and art houseSDI – Syndicat des Distributeurs IndépendantsOfficial site
Next dates not announced · usually March, annually · last held 10 March 2026 · Avignon, France
Ten-day national event in the Avignon area bringing together exhibitors, distributors and programmers for previews, professional meetings and a pro jury, alongside public and school screenings.
Independent and art houseLes Rencontres du Sud associationOfficial site
Next dates not announced · usually May, annually (during the Festival de Cannes) · last held 10 May 2026 · Cannes, France
AFCAE's national art-house meeting held during Cannes: preview screenings of ten festival films plus thematic debates and a professional lunch for French art-house exhibitors deciding what to book.
Independent and art houseAFCAE – Association Française des Cinémas d'Art et d'EssaiOfficial site
Next dates not announced · usually September, annually · last held 8 September 2026 · Nancy, France
National meeting on programming for children and young audiences, with previews of upcoming family films and workshops on school and youth outreach. The 2026 edition added a day focused on 15–25-year-olds.
Independent and art houseAFCAE – Association Française des Cinémas d'Art et d'EssaiOfficial site
Next dates not announced · usually March, annually · last held 25 March 2026 · Tours, France
Three days of previews of restored classics heading for re-release, for French cinemas that programme repertory titles. Lets programmers see upcoming heritage releases before booking.
Independent and art houseAFCAE – Association Française des Cinémas d'Art et d'EssaiOfficial site
Next dates not announced · usually Several times a year, usually attached to festivals or professional meetings (29th edition: 27 August 2026, Charlieu) · France
Working sessions where independent cinemas and distributors plan marketing, local partnerships and outreach for upcoming art-house releases. Practical preparation for launching specific films in a cinema.
Independent and art houseSCARE – Syndicat des Cinémas d'Art, de Répertoire et d'EssaiOfficial site
Next dates not announced · usually January, annually · last held 20 January 2026 · Valence, France
Heritage-cinema festival whose professional days help exhibitors programme and present repertory films, run with the ADRC and regional associations.
Independent and art houseLux – Scène Nationale de Valence with ADRC and regional cinema associationsOfficial site