The Tel Aviv Cinematheque is a movie complex in the heart of Tel Aviv. It first opened in 1973 offering the public alternative, fringe, arthouse, experimental, and indie movies that reflected the current culture. The films were often thought-provoking and sparked conversations on social injustice, racism, politics, and religion.
Generally, the films were chosen to expose audiences to a wider view of the arts and provide them with a deeper appreciation of cinema. The Tel Aviv Cinematheque became a haven for thinkers and artists. It served a wider purpose than simply screening movies. The Cinematheque provided a home for filmmakers and a meeting place for cinema professionals and film aficionados.
Over the years Cinematheque Tel Aviv has not lost its connection to the arts and its reputation for pushing the envelope. It still provides an alternative to commercial cinemas. But today the complex also screens the latest releases and crowd-pleasers to over 60,000 visitors each month.
The center now has a new wing with six luxurious auditoriums equipped with state-of-the-art projection and sound systems. More than 1,500 films are screened at the Cinematheque each year with subject matter ranging from cult classics, alternative films, and Avant-garde indie movies to the latest Hollywood blockbusters and documentaries.
Cinematheque Tel Aviv is also home to annual film festivals, and the venue is used for regular lectures, educational programs, and meet-and-greets with artists and film industry leaders. There is a regular program of activities that nurture an appreciation for cinema. Among the special happenings at Cinematheque are film premieres, retrospectives, film festivals, themed film series, and student film screenings. Among the top events held at Tel Aviv Cinematheque are:
-LGBT Film Festival
-Doc Tel Aviv (international documentary film festival)
-TLVFest
-SPIRIT Film Festival
-Icon Festival for Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Role-Playing
-Animax (animation and comics festival)
-International Children and Youth Film Festival
-Jazz Festival
If you’re looking for something more than just another movie house, then the Cinematheque can provide you with an engaging experience that is much more than just going to the movies