15/01/2026 - The initiatives across Europe and beyond continued to draw record audiences last year, demonstrating the enduring appeal of the big screen and local productions

The International Union of Cinemas (UNIC) has reported strong performances from National Cinema Days throughout Europe in 2025, highlighting the continued relevance of these initiatives in attracting audiences and supporting both domestic and international films. Across multiple territories, the events delivered record attendance figures, sometimes defying seasonal trends and creating momentum ahead of the traditionally quieter summer months.

In France, Printemps du Cinéma welcomed over 2.2 million visitors in March, while the summer edition of La Fête du Cinéma, which runs for four days, recorded 3 million admissions. Local hits such as the hard-hitting thriller 13 Days, 13 Nights [+see also:
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Germany marked a historic milestone with its fourth Kinofest. With 1.65 million tickets sold over just two days, it became the most successful edition ever and represented the most-attended cinema weekend of the decade. Austria also launched its own one-day Kinofest, achieving its strongest Saturday turnout in the last five years.

Spain’s Fiesta del Cine maintained its strong performance. The spring edition attracted nearly 1.3 million visitors, the best spring results since 2019, representing a 52% increase compared to the 2024 edition. For the first time since the event’s launch, the autumn edition, which ran for four days in November, was led by three Spanish films; San Sebastián Golden Shell winner film Sundays [+see also:
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Italy recorded a 42% increase in admissions during the June edition of Cinema in Festa compared to the previous year. In addition, a new initiative funded by the Italian Ministry of Culture, Happy Cinefamily, offered a €2.50 discount for children under 12 and up to two accompanying adults, applicable to all films from 26 September through the end of 2025.

The Netherlands’ Bioscoop10daagse (B10D) also reported success. The second edition (which runs for ten days and features special deals, events, and targeted promotion) doubled the market share for Dutch films, improving occupancy rates and expanding participation across venues. Belgium’s We Love Cinema Days increased attendance by 10%, helped by a new "buy one get one free" ticket promotion. Meanwhile Poland celebrated the 10th anniversary of Swieto Kina, which brought together 263 cinemas and over 500,000 visitors.

In the Nordic countries, Sweden’s Stora Biodagen attracted 125,000 admissions, making it the largest cinema day of the year nationwide. Norway and Finland maintained steady engagement despite scheduling changes, reflecting a sustained appetite for cinema experiences across the region.

Finally, National Cinema Day initiatives also extended beyond Europe. In Saudi Arabia, the National Cinema Weekend achieved a remarkable 111% increase in attendance compared to the previous weekend. With local Arabic films accounting for nearly half of all admissions, this highlights the growing importance of regional content in audience engagement.