Fukaya Cinema

Fukaya Cinema (深谷シネマ) is a small independent movie theater, or mini-theater, located in Fukaya, Saitama Prefecture, Japan. It is operated and maintained by the non-profit organization NPO Citizen's Theater F (NPO法人市民シアター・エフ). The cinema is notable for being the only movie theater in Japan housed in a converted sake brewery, specifically the site of the former Nanatsuume Brewery (七ツ梅酒造跡). It is the only mini-theater in northern Saitama Prefecture. The theater traces its origins to a civic movement that began in March 1999, when a circle was formed to establish a mini-theater in the city. After collecting 3,300 signatures, the group received NPO certification in 2000 and launched as "Fukunoya Theater" on the second floor of a clothing store, but it withdrew after only one year. The organization continued holding screenings at the citizens' hall while raising funds, and on July 27, 2002, it opened in a converted bank building with 44 seats under the name "Cine Felice" (Italian for "happy cinema"). Due to local feedback that the name was hard to remember, it was changed to Fukaya Cinema about half a year later, with Cine Felice remaining as a nickname. On April 16, 2010, the cinema relocated to the site of the Nanatsuume Brewery in Fukaya-cho due to a municipal land readjustment project, reopening with 57 seats and renewed projection equipment. This made it the only cinema in Japan converted from a sake brewery. In August 2013, a digital cinema system was introduced, while the existing film projector was retained to allow screenings of older film prints. The cinema's honorary director, film director Nobuhiko Obayashi, passed away in 2020. Fukaya Cinema draws about 23,000 visitors annually. It is run primarily by 10 volunteers and operates on a break-even basis with annual expenses of about 35 million yen. The cinema's activities have spurred the city of Fukaya to hold a film festival since 2004 and to attract about 50 film and TV drama location shoots per year. The surrounding Nanatsuume Brewery site also includes restaurants, a tea shop, and a used bookstore, creating a space where audiences can socialize after screenings.

Fukaya Cinema is a mini-theater in Fukaya, Saitama Prefecture, Japan, operated by the NPO Citizen's Theater F. It is the only mini-theater in northern Saitama. The site where it is located, the Nanatsuume Brewery, also houses restaurants, a tea shop, and a used bookstore, and has been used for numerous film and TV drama shoots. In 1960, when the number of movie theaters in Japan peaked, Fukaya City had three cinemas: Hōnenza, Musashinokan, and Denkikan. However, due to the decline of cinema, all had closed by the 1970s. For Fukaya residents, the nearest cinemas were in Kumagaya City or Takasaki City in Gunma Prefecture. A circle to establish a mini-theater in the city was launched in March 1999. They collected 3,300 signatures and received NPO certification in 2000. In the same year, they started as "Fukunoya Theater" on the second floor of a local clothing store, "Fukunoya," but withdrew after only one year. They continued holding screenings at the citizens' hall while raising funds, and on July 27, 2002, they opened in a converted bank building with 44 seats. Initially named "Cine Felice" (Italian for "happy cinema"), it was renamed Fukaya Cinema about half a year later due to local feedback that the name was hard to remember. "Cine Felice" became its nickname. On April 16, 2010, due to a municipal land readjustment project, the cinema relocated from Nakamachi, Fukaya City, to the Nanatsuume Brewery site in Fukaya-cho, and reopened. The number of seats increased to 57, and equipment such as projectors was renewed. It became the only cinema in Japan converted from a sake brewery. In August 2013, a digital cinema system was introduced. However, the existing film projector was retained, allowing screenings of past film works. In 2020, film director Nobuhiko Obayashi, who served as honorary director, passed away. The annual attendance is about 23,000. With 10 volunteers at the core of operations, the cinema manages a break-even operation with annual expenses of about 35 million yen. With Fukaya Cinema's activities as a core, Fukaya City has held a film festival since 2004, and the number of location shoots for films and TV dramas has reached about 50 per year.

• 2020

  Honorary director and film director Nobuhiko Obayashi passes away.

• 2013

  In August, a digital cinema system is introduced while retaining the film projector.

• 2010

  On April 16, the cinema relocates to the Nanatsuume Brewery site and reopens with 57 seats and renewed equipment, becoming the only cinema in Japan converted from a sake brewery.

• 2002

  On July 27, the cinema opens in a converted bank building with 44 seats under the name "Cine Felice". It is renamed Fukaya Cinema about half a year later.

• 2000

  The group receives NPO certification and starts "Fukunoya Theater" on the second floor of a clothing store, but withdraws after one year.

• 1999

  A circle to establish a mini-theater in Fukaya City is launched in March.

A community-based mini-theater offering independent and art films in a unique sake brewery setting, run by volunteers and an NPO.

• Movie screenings

  Independent, art, and classic films shown in a mini-theater setting.

• Original goods

  Fukaya Cinema original merchandise sold online.

1. 1酒蔵の映画館 深谷シネマfukayacinema.jp
2. 2深谷シネマ - Wikipediaja.wikipedia.org
3. 3Fukaya Cinema - Wikidatawikidata.org