Caligari FilmBühne receives cinema prize from the Kinematheksverbund
The Caligari FilmBühne was awarded the Cinema Prize of the Kinematheksverbund in Berlin on October 25, 2025.
The award honors movie theaters and film culture initiatives that contribute to the diversity of cinema culture through creativity, passion, and expertise in film history. A total of 30,000 euros in prize money was awarded.
In the “Cinema That Looks Back” category, the Caligari won second prize. The jury praised the community cinema for “keeping film history alive alongside contemporary cinematic art.” Special mention was made of the regular silent film screenings that the Caligari presents once a month with live music. The jury cited the screening of the industrial classic “Sprengbagger 1010” (1929), in cooperation with Chamber Music e.V., as an exemplary example of how historical films can gain new appeal through creative presentation. Retrospectives—such as those marking the anniversaries of significant filmmakers—also complement the program.
The Kinematheksverbund Film Award is presented by the Deutsche Kinemathek and supported by special funding from the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media.
Dr. Hendrik Schmehl, Head of the Department of Culture, emphasizes the importance of the awardsThe Caligari stands for a cinema that inspires and brings people together. It demonstrates how film history stays alive when it is shared with enthusiasm, expertise, and passion. My thanks go to the dedicated team at the Department of Culture and the many partners who make this extraordinary program possible.
The Caligari FilmBühne on Marktplatz, a designated historic landmark, is operated by the Wiesbaden Cultural Affairs Office. In collaboration with the DFF—German Film Institute & Film Museum, the Wiesbadener Kinofestival e.V., the Medienzentrum Wiesbaden e.V., and other partners, a diverse program is being developed that combines international film culture, film history series, and festivals.