Cinerama Filmtheater is in danger of closing at the end of 2025. The film theater is a popular place with a rich history, deep -rooted in the city, with a very own programming and where a wide and diverse audience feels at home. Over the past 10 years it has not been possible to invest in the maintenance of Cinerama through always temporary and extremely short (half year to year) lease contracts. Formally, property owner and real estate developer VolkerWessels has canceled the lease contract as of January 1, 2026 to tenant Kinepolis, making the future of Cinerama Filmtheater uncertain. Despite the status of the municipal monument, there are great concerns about whether the historic unique building and the cultural function are preserved in the future. The plans of VolkerWessels are unclear in the short and long term or what the consequences are if the building is sold to another real estate party. We, the people of action group “Cinerama must stay”, are committed to preserving the film theater, we are currently investigating the possibility of restart and self -management/own organization after December 31, 2025.
Cinerama Filmtheater has been in existence for no less than 65 years this year and is the last reconstruction cinema in Rotterdam. It would be a great loss for both the cultural life and the iconic street scene of the city. Rotterdam must be committed to cherishing this kind of scarce historical-cultural places, places that make the city unique, places that stand for the history of the city and brings together the residents. Cinerama fits seamlessly with regard to function and architectural value within the redevelopment plans for the Westblaak. Within the ambition of lively city center, this place and cultural function are indispensable. The building was designed by the architects B. Hoogstraten and G.E. Lette in 1956. With an entrance of 6.5 meters high and a canopy that protrudes 2.5 meters, the cinema had to stand out and impress. On either side of the cash register, the walls are decorated with the large characteristic decorative mosaics made by artist Teus van den Berg. The cinema, then still Scala, is officially declared open on Thursday 12 December 1957 by Mayor of Walsum, with Charlie Chaplin’s a King in New York as the opening film. In 1960 the Filmhuis continues as Cinerama, with the unique projection system of the same name and a room with 1500 seats. In 1978 the building was taken over by the Meerburg group that renovates the cinema and adds four halls to it. Nowadays Cinerama is one of the most visited film houses in Rotterdam.
Cinerama plays a crucial role in the cultural development of Rotterdam by not only showing a wide range of films as a film theater, but also by offering a platform for cultural exchange and discussion. It attracts both local and international visitors, contributes to the diversity of the cultural offer and supports the film industry in the region. That is why Cinerama’s initiative must remain recognized and supported by various stakeholders who appreciate the importance of culture in the city, including:
We are action group Cinerama: a group of former and current employees and committed citizens who are committed to retaining the latest Rotterdam, classical film theater Cinerama as a cultural heritage. We do this because we have a heart for Cinerama and our city, her history and its future. We are committed to this independently, voluntary and without financial resources.
