Filmhuis Gouda

Filmhuis Gouda is an arthouse cinema (filmhuis) in the Dutch city of Gouda, located on Lethmaetstraat in the Korte Akkeren district. It was founded in 1977, originally at Regentesseplantsoen with a 40-seat hall and weekly Saturday screenings; a projector was borrowed from a youth society. In 1979 it moved to its current location, a former school with an 80-seat auditorium and foyer. During the 1980s it gained its first professional staff member, while the rest of the team remained largely volunteers. In April 2012 the cinema switched from analogue to digital projection. By 2011 it hosted 590 screenings of 124 titles for over 25,000 visitors, and in 2012 an estimated 10,000 visitors came from outside Gouda. The cinema has repeatedly explored relocation — to Peperstraat (2008), the former Arcade Bioscoop building (2012–2013), and Cultuurhuis Chocoladefabriek (2017–2018) — but has remained at Lethmaetstraat. Its programming blends international arthouse releases, documentaries, and regional talent initiatives such as Scope on Screen, alongside community events like the Bioscoop10Daagse.

Filmhuis Gouda was founded in 1977, initially located at Regentesseplantsoen with a 40-seat hall. Screenings took place every Saturday evening, and the cinema did not own a projector — one was borrowed from a youth society. In 1979 it moved to its current location, a former school on Lethmaetstraat, which has an 80-seat auditorium and a foyer. During the 1980s the filmhuis acquired its first professional staff member; the remaining personnel consisted mainly of volunteers. In April 2012 the cinema transitioned from analogue to digital projection. By 2011 it was hosting 590 screenings of 124 titles, attracting over 25,000 visitors; in 2012 an estimated 10,000 visitors came from outside Gouda. Relocation has been discussed repeatedly: in 2008 the board considered a building on Peperstraat, which did not proceed; the 2011 annual report announced a pause in the search. A second possible move arose in 2012 after Arcade Bioscoop announced a new cinema in the Spoorzone, with the idea of moving into the vacated Arcade building (Maria Magdalenaconvent on Agnietenstraat); in early 2013 the board stated it lacked the means to fund a move and would stay put for the time being. In 2017 the possibility of housing the Filmhuis in Cultuurhuis Chocoladefabriek was explored, with plans for a second and possibly third screen due to high visitor numbers; the municipality of Gouda determined the total costs would be too high. In 2018 the Filmhuis said it had not given up hope. The cinema continues to operate at Lethmaetstraat, programming a mix of international arthouse films, documentaries, and regional initiatives such as Scope on Screen, alongside events like the Bioscoop10Daagse.

• 2018

  Filmhuis said it had not given up hope of relocation.

• 2017

  Explored housing in Cultuurhuis Chocoladefabriek; municipality found total costs too high.

• 2013

  Board stated it lacked means to fund a relocation and would stay at Lethmaetstraat for the time being.

• 2012

  Switched from analogue to digital projection in April; an estimated 10,000 visitors came from outside Gouda.

• 2011

  Hosted 590 screenings of 124 titles for over 25,000 visitors.

• 2008

  Board considered a building on Peperstraat for relocation; did not proceed.

• 1980

  First professional staff member appointed; remaining personnel mainly volunteers.

• 1979

  Moved to current location, a former school on Lethmaetstraat, with an 80-seat auditorium and foyer.

• 1977

  Filmhuis Gouda founded at Regentesseplantsoen with a 40-seat hall.

A community-oriented arthouse cinema offering curated international and regional films in Gouda, run largely by volunteers.

• Histoires Parallèles

  Asghar Farhadi's French-language drama starring Isabelle Huppert and Virginie Efira, screened at Filmhuis Gouda.

• De Gaulle: Résistance

  Biographical diptych by Antonin Baudry about Charles de Gaulle.

• Primavera

  Italian costume drama about Antonio Vivaldi and his muse.

• Below the Clouds

  Documentary about Naples and Pompeii.

• Scope on Screen

  Initiative showcasing film talent from Zuid-Holland.

1. 1Home | Filmhuis Goudafilmhuisgouda.nl
2. 2Histoires Parallèles | Filmhuis Goudafilmhuisgouda.nl
3. 3Filmhuis Gouda - Wikidatawikidata.org
4. 4Filmhuis Gouda - Wikipedianl.wikipedia.org