Cinema lovers, clear up your schedules and get set for four days of all things film! Cologne Cinema Nights is back in town for their 12th consecutive run, celebrating the city’s diverse and vibrant film scene.

Taking place in the summer, this festival involves not just cinemas, but also film initiatives, film festivals, distributors, cultural institutions and universities based in Cologne, who take part by showcasing their work in venues across the city.

What to expect at Cologne Cinema Nights

This year, despite coronavirus restrictions, Cologne Cinema Nights has taken the decision to go ahead, with various new regulations to ensure the safety of all attendees and staff.

The film programme

The programme, as usual, consists of a wide range of films (more than 50) in a variety of genres. These include previews, new productions, highlights of last year and cinema classics. Films in the German language, Hollywood and Bollywood films as well as films for children are also featured.

Shorts on Wheels

A particularly unique highlight of Cologne Cinema nights is a peculiar programme known as “Shorts on Wheels”. The event sees walls, gates, backyards and facades become perfect screens for short films that can be enjoyed during a solo or group bike tour – a symbiosis of the city's cycling culture and short film scene. This year, a social distancing edition will take place.

Attending Cologne Cinema Nights

The festival takes place in 12 venues across the city of Cologne. These include regular cinema halls such as Cinenova, Filmpalette, Alte Feuerwache and Odeon, but also a special open-air cinema location at the MAKK – Museum für Angewandte Kunst Köln.

If you’re a film connoisseur and intend to make the most out of this four day festival, it might be worth purchasing the KombiTicket, which for 18 euros gives you access to the entire festival programme. You can purchase this ticket either online or at the box office of Filmpalette, Odeon, OFF Broadway or Weisshaus Kino.

Individual tickets for the programme items are also available at their respective screening venues. For more information about the programme and tickets, check out the Cologne Cinema Nights Website. Happy screening!