15 Apr '14

Cartoon’s celebrates re-opening after threat of bankruptcy

Summary

Cartoon’s cinema in downtown Antwerp is hosting a Grand Opening after new owners saved the independent cinema from closing for good

Non-stop screenings and party on 26 April

Cartoon’s in Antwerp is celebrating its rise from the ashes of bankruptcy next weekend with a Grand Opening featuring special screenings and talks by film industry folk. The long-time independent cinema in the city centre near the waterfront declared bankruptcy last autumn, but the Ghent-based Lumière cinema group and the Dutch Wild Bunch film distributor took it over, spruced it up and re-opened the doors a few weeks ago.
 

Visitor numbers at Cartoon’s are up, a sign that residents missed the cinema and want to make sure it doesn’t close again, said Lumière in a statement. “Even with the sun we’ve had, the film enthusiasts are still coming.”

The celebration on 26 April includes non-stop screenings of new film from 14.00 to midnight, incuding Danish director Mikkel Norgaard’s The Keeper of Lost Causes and American Kelly Reichardt’s Night Moves. Each film costs only €3. In the cinema’s café – open for the first time in eight years –  people who work both in front of and behind the camera are on hand to share their experiences and gossip on topics such as what new Flemish films we can expect this year and which local actors are going to make a splash.

There are free refreshments, a film quiz, cocktails for happy hour, also only €3 each, and a closing party.

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