Das Kino

Das Kino — formally the Salzburger Filmkulturzentrum DAS KINO — is a municipal film culture centre and art-house cinema in Salzburg, Austria. It was founded in 1978 on the model of the first so-called 'Kommunales Kino' initiated in 1971 by Hilmar Hoffmann in Frankfurt am Main, which today houses the Deutsches Filmmuseum. The main aim was to give film, as an influential medium of the 20th century, its own venue in Salzburg. The Salzburger Filmkulturzentrum DAS KINO opened on 6 July 1978 at its current location in the former 'Lifka-Kino'. After its founding by Günther Berauer, it became an established programme cinema for auteur film and independent cinema under the direction of Michael Bilic. In January 2017 Renate Wurm took over as managing director and artistic director with a dedicated team. At the beginning of its existence, DAS KINO saw itself not only as a cinema but also as a cultural centre where projects could emerge and initiatives could find a place. Alongside the daily film programme, concerts, theatre, cabaret, readings and lectures were also held. In 1989, after long negotiations, the decision was taken to completely renovate and rebuild the house. In the course of this conversion, a second cinema auditorium was created in addition to the existing one — unique in the programme cinema scene at the time. After almost three years of construction, the Salzburger Filmkulturzentrum reopened on 22 March 1992 at the same location. As Salzburg's only programme cinema, DAS KINO shows a specially selected film programme away from the mainstream, with particular attention to artistic quality and cultural diversity. In addition to Austrian and international auteur films, the programme includes special series, festivals and themed events. The cinema also operates a bar and hosts opening concerts and premieres, such as the opening concert by David Era on 3 October 2026 and premieres of 'Wellen Wende' and 'Atmosphere' in October 2026. The venue's programme has included films such as 'Gentle Monster', 'Coyote vs. Acme', 'Frost ohne Schnee und Eis', 'The Invite', 'La hija cóndor', 'Wax & Gold', 'Der Klang der Stradivari' and 'Vaterland', as well as the 'Science meets Fiction Outer Space' series from 24 September to 7 October and the 'Italia Cinema' film series from 13 October 2026. Das Kino remains a non-profit-oriented cultural institution rather than a commercial multiplex, and its identity is closely tied to Salzburg's film culture scene. It is registered in Austria and operates from its historic location in the city.

The Salzburger Filmkulturzentrum DAS KINO was founded in 1978, modelled on the first so-called 'Kommunales Kino' initiated in 1971 by Hilmar Hoffmann in Frankfurt am Main, which today houses the Deutsches Filmmuseum. The main aim was to give film, as an influential medium of the 20th century, its own venue in Salzburg. On 6 July 1978 the Salzburger Filmkulturzentrum DAS KINO opened at its current location in the former 'Lifka-Kino'. After its founding by Günther Berauer, it became an established programme cinema for auteur film and independent cinema under the direction of Michael Bilic. In January 2017 Renate Wurm took over as managing director and artistic director with a dedicated team. At the beginning of its existence, DAS KINO saw itself not only as a cinema but also as a cultural centre where projects could emerge and initiatives could find a place. Alongside the daily film programme, concerts, theatre, cabaret, readings and lectures were also held. In 1989, after long negotiations, the decision was taken to completely renovate and rebuild the house. In the course of this conversion, a second cinema auditorium was created in addition to the existing one — unique in the programme cinema scene at the time. After almost three years of construction, the Salzburger Filmkulturzentrum reopened on 22 March 1992 at the same location. As Salzburg's only programme cinema, DAS KINO shows a specially selected film programme away from the mainstream, with particular attention to artistic quality and cultural diversity. In addition to Austrian and international auteur films, the programme includes special series and themed events. The cinema also operates a bar and hosts opening concerts and premieres. Recent programme items have included 'Gentle Monster', 'Coyote vs. Acme', 'Frost ohne Schnee und Eis', 'The Invite', 'La hija cóndor', 'Wax & Gold', 'Der Klang der Stradivari' and 'Vaterland', as well as the 'Science meets Fiction Outer Space' series (24 September to 7 October) and the 'Italia Cinema' series (from 13 October 2026).

• 2017

  Renate Wurm took over as managing director and artistic director in January.

• 1992

  Reopened on 22 March after almost three years of construction, with a second cinema auditorium added.

• 1989

  Decision taken after long negotiations to completely renovate and rebuild the house.

• 1978

  Salzburger Filmkulturzentrum DAS KINO founded and opened on 6 July at the former Lifka-Kino location.

Salzburg's only programme cinema, focused on artistic quality and cultural diversity away from the mainstream.

• Art-house and independent film screenings

• Film series and festivals (e.g. Science meets Fiction Outer Space, Italia Cinema)

• Concerts, theatre, cabaret, readings and lectures

• Cinema bar (DIE BAR)

1. 1DAS KINO - Salzburger Filmkulturzentrumdaskino.at
2. 2Über uns DAS KINOdaskino.at
3. 3Das Kino - Wikidatawikidata.org