Events promoted by the ICAA, FECE and FEDICINE, among other organisations, such as Fiesta del Cine and Senior Cinema, aim to increase cinema attendance in response to the rise of streaming platforms

The Portuguese House by Avelina Prat

From 2 to 5 June, Spain will host the 24th edition of Fiesta del Cine, a special event when cinema tickets are significantly reduced to €3.50. These discounted prices are expected to attract many undecided viewers back to cinemas to enjoy European films (with gems such as the Spanish-Portuguese co-production The Portuguese House [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile]). However, as is often the case, films from the United States will likely benefit the most, dominating the top spots at the box office.

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Taking a look back at the figures from the previous edition, the 23rd Fiesta del Cine, which recorded a total of 1,394,058 cinema-goers. This marked the best attendance for the event since 2019, representing an increase of more than 63% compared to the June 2024 edition and a 16% rise compared to October 2023. It also boosted weekly attendance, making it the second best week of the year so far. Notably, three Spanish films featured among the top 10 most-watched films in cinemas during that period: Undercover [+see also:
trailer
film profile], The Room Next Door [+see also:
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trailer
film profile] and Escape [+see also:
trailer
film profile].

Fiesta del Cine, held in around 300 cinemas, and similar to its French counterpart, has been organised since 2009 by the Federation of Cinema Film Distributors (FEDICINE), the Federation of Spanish Cinemas (FECE) and the Ministry of Culture, through the Institute of Cinematography and Audiovisual Arts (ICAA). It also supported by the Spanish Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the State Film Association (AECINE), the Independent Film Distributors Association (ADICINE) and ESCAC, with the aim of promoting cinema-going as a social and cultural habit. To date, more than 32 million viewers have participated in the initiative.

In addition, the Senior Cinema programme, also promoted by the ICAA, is a measure aimed at encouraging access to cinema for people over 65. Through this programme, cinemas can receive direct funding to offer reduced tickets to senior citizens. As a result, 1,690,758 people in this age group attended cinemas in 2024, an increase of more than 766,000 viewers compared to the first edition in 2023, representing an 82% increase.

This initiative from the Ministry of Culture, now renewed for a third edition covering the 2025/26 period, allows senior citizens to go to the cinema for €2 every Tuesday. 33% of all tickets sold in 2024 came from this programme, establishing Tuesdays as the third most popular day of the week for cinema attendance, behind Saturday and Wednesday (traditionally “Cinema Day” in Spain). Spanish titles such as The 47, The Red Virgin [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile], A House on Fire and I am Nevenka [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Icíar Bollaín
film profile], among others, have benefited from this measure.

The Senior Cinema initiative launched in 2023 in an audiovisual context shaped by shifting consumption habits and the rise of digital platforms. It was therefore necessary to implement a public policy aimed at revitalising cinema attendance, particularly among senior citizens, who had been slower to return to cinemas after the coronavirus pandemic.

(Translated from Spanish)