Kinodvor Cinema

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The completely renovated and technologically-upgraded Kinodvor Cinema located in the centre of the city (in the vicinity of Ljubljana railway station), reopened in October 2003, on the eve of the 80th anniversary of the original venue. Before its renovation, the cinema held a fundraiser, selling new seats. Film lovers were invited to buy seats and all were sold. The refurbished theatre auditorium was named after Slovene director Žarko Lužnik and can accommodate 197. The Kinodvor was run by Slovenia Cinematheque up to crisis in the spring of 2008 when it was closed down. In May 2008 the City Council of the City of Ljubljana passed a resolution declaring the establishment of a new public institute, Kinodvor. The hall was opened in October 2008 as a public, municipal cinema, operating in the field of showcasing quality cinema. Through its functioning Kinodvor should become part of a network of similar institutions operating in Slovenia and internationally. Apart from showing films Kinodvor works in the direction of film studies and cultural education; it offers pedagogical and educational programmes related to the field of audiovisual culture; it encourages participation, democracy, plurality, international cooperation and high quality of creation and representation. Kinodvor is a partner distributor of European films through Europa Cinemas network.

The core and bulk of the Kinodvor film-programme consists of first run theatrical releases of quality films, as offered by the Slovene distributors. European film, independent and world cinema is be especially highlighted. A rich and varied festival-offer forms the second programme pillar. For festivals such as Ljubljana International Film Festival LIFFE, the international festival of animated films Animateka and the international festival of contemporary arts City of Women festival Kinodvor becomes one of their principle festival centres. In addition the cinema features limited runs, temporary imported titles, reruns from the art house repertory, and other special screenings and events. Every first Sunday of the month, the traditional Breakfast at Kinodvor’s presents a sneak-preview. Kinodvor wants to position itself also as an event theatre. Besides the premieres of the films released (often in the company of members of the cast and crew), the cinema offers gala avant-premieres of nationwide releases. For those with limited budgets, the weekly Dvorni dan on Mondays with its reduced ticket-prices, is the day to look out for. Every month a member of the Kinodvor Club has the privilege to select a recently release contemporary film.

The youth programme are be scheduled on Saturdays and Sundays (sometimes Sunday shows are accompanied by creative workshops). Occasionally Kinobalon is to be scheduled also during the week. We offered educational institutions a catalogue of selected films with recommended additional activities; the screenings can be arranged according to their wishes throughout the year. Youth programme is carefully selected and takes into account various possible age groups and different kinds of cinema. Sunday’s Breakfasts at Kinodvor offers freshly baked croissants, coffee and expert baby-sitters to take care of the children while parents enjoy the film. Once per month screenings for parents with babies are organised: a regular run film is screened at a lower volume, hall is gently lit and nursing allowed. With the opening of the city cinema, the first tiny film bookshop in Ljubljana opens its door to the public. Holding books of the range from specialised film pieces to the literary works that have inspired film production throughout the years as well as special programme related offers, film DVDs and soundtracks, it is a must for all cinema enthusiasts. A specialised gallery presents fine art created side by side with, before or after films and art which supported, announced and challenged the films from which it drew inspiration.

Kinodvor's Café represents a film flavoured meeting point, a place where international film magazines broaden horizons and most of all a place with a selected offer of treats.

Between the 1st and the 8th of October the cinema presented itself with a rich opening programme, including various international guests and social events. The opening programme films included also The Bank Job by Roger Donaldson and It’s Hard to be Nice by Srdan Vuletić.