The Kleines Kino am Weingarten (“Small Cinema at the Vineyard”) is located in the small town of Minden (North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany).

As the name suggests, it is a small cinema. The cozy auditorium seats just 99 guests.

The number of screening dates is also limited: the cinema is open only two to four days per month. This significantly restricts the number of films that can be shown.

The reason is simple: Kleines Kino am Weingarten is not a commercial enterprise. It is run by a non-profit, volunteer-based association. Everyone involved works on a voluntary basis and receives no financial compensation. The cinema is operated collectively in their free time.

After many commercial cinemas in Minden had to close in recent years for economic reasons, the initiative of individual citizens led to the founding of Kleines Kino am Weingarten. Its aim is to continue making current arthouse and repertory films accessible to a broad audience in Minden.

Ticket prices are deliberately kept very moderate at €8 per ticket, ensuring that people from all social backgrounds can participate in shared cinematic experiences.

Despite its small size and entirely volunteer structure, the cinema stands out for its exceptional selection of artistically ambitious and highly relevant films. It is further enriched by accompanying programs related to the films, as well as regularly organized film series.

Since its founding in 2024, it has become an established institution within Minden’s cultural scene, sustaining itself almost entirely without public funding.

For more information please contact founder Astrid Engel via mail.