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Arsenal 2024–26: Relocation, Travel, New Cinema

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    In February 2025, the rental contracts in the Filmhaus on Potsdamer Platz will expire and Arsenal will move to a new location for the second time in its history. In the silent green Kulturquartier in Berlin-Wedding, where the Arsenal archive has been located since 2015, all departments (cinema, Berlinale Forum / Forum Expanded, archive and distribution) will come together in one place for the first time in its history until 2026. In the west hall of the former crematorium, which has been transformed into a flourishing, interdisciplinary cultural center with international appeal since 2013 thanks to the initiative and commitment of Jörg Heitmann and Bettina Ellerkamp, a 180-seat cinema will be built for Arsenal, which will continue to offer all analog and digital screening options. A separate entrance and a small inner courtyard for events will be created on the north side of the building. The archive, which currently contains more than 10,000 titles, and the viewing rooms will remain in the west wing of silent green. The offices and distribution department will occupy the ground floor and two further floors of the building Gerichtstrasse 53 opposite of the main entrance of silent green.

    The silent green and Wedding as a cultural location offer Arsenal a unique infrastructure and synergy opportunities with numerous cultural institutions and initiatives. The Harun Farocki Institute, silent green Film Feld Forschung and Transmediale are located on the site, as are SİNEMA TRANSTOPIA, the future DFFB and SAVVY Contemporary in the immediate vicinity. Many of these cultural institutions are long-standing cooperation partners of Arsenal.

    For the transformation of the west hall, silent green has commissioned the architectural office Kombinativ under the direction of Max Dengler, which has already been responsible for parts of the transformation planning of silent green and its new studio building. In close coordination with the cinema planner Dr. Reiner Chemnitius and Arsenal, a sustainable architectural development concept has been created that transforms the heritage-protected building of the west hall for its new form of use.

    Screenings will continue at Potsdamer Platz until December 15, 2024, before the Arsenal cinema goes on tour for one year. In 2025, Arsenal will present collaboratively developed film programs at and with cooperation partners in Berlin, nationwide and internationally as part of the "Arsenal on Location" project. The new Arsenal cinema in silent green will open its doors in 2026 at the latest.

    FAQ

    What is the timeline?

    2024: Last screening at Potsdamer Platz on December 15 // The Berlinale Forum and Forum Expanded teams move into their new offices at Gerichtstr. 53

    2025: All other departments move to silent green Kulturquartier and Gerichtstr. 53 // Arsenal on Location: In 2025, Arsenal will present collaboratively curated film programs with partners in Berlin, across Germany and internationally.

    By 2026 at the latest: Opening of the new cinema in the west hall of silent green

    What technical possibilities will the new cinema in silent green have?

    According to the current state of planning:
    Seats: 180
    Rows: 13 rows with fixed seats, first row optional / seating as required
    Screen size: approx. 9 m x 4 m
    Analog film projection technology: all analog image formats: 8 mm, 16 mm, 35 mm, 70 mm
    Digital projection: 4K DCP projector
    Sound systems: Dolby Atmos, playback option for all sound formats
    Live music: grand piano available in the hall
    Conference technology: planned
    Accessibility for wheelchair users: given
    Accessibility for the hearing and visually impaired: in planning

    What is the silent green Kulturquartier?

    The silent green is an event venue and independent project that has found a unique home in Berlin in the historic premises of the former Wedding crematorium. Founded in 2013, the privately run cultural quarter sees itself as a protected space where people can think, research and experiment. The emphasis is on cross-formal and transdisciplinary work: The boundaries of individual artistic disciplines are to be pushed in order to link them into new, hybrid forms. The silent green has two focal points: Moving image and music.

    Who is responsible for the conversion of the west hall and the planning of the movie theater?

    The transformation of the west hall is largely being realized by silent green Kulturquartier, which – represented by Jörg Heitmann and Bettina Ellerkamp – is responsible for the project development and acts as the builder.

    The architectural office Kombinativ, headed by Max Dengler, was commissioned with the conversion planning of the west hall. It has already been commissioned for parts of the transformation planning of silent green and its new studio building as well as the conversion  planning and interior fit-out of the SAVVY Contemporary gallery.

    The planning of the movie theater is carried out by Reiner Chemnitius. He directs the planning office for media technology TME Dr. Ing. Chemnitius & Partner, which specializes in audiovisual media in assembly halls and conference rooms. TME's clients include the Filmhaus, the Gloria Palast Munich, the Kinopolis Group, the Baden-Württemberg Film Academy, the Berlinale and the Arsenal.

    Which principles are guiding the construction process?

    The transformation of the heritage-protected west hall of the former crematorium into a cinema with state-of-the-art technology is carried out according to the same sustainable building principles which have guided the transformation of the silent green Kulturquartier since the beginning and have already won numerous awards. In the most recent years, silent green has been awarded the Ferdinand von Quast Medal (Berlin Prize for Monument Protection), the Berlin Award 2021, the FIABCI Prix d'exellence Germany 2020 and the "Applaus" prize for sustainability awarded by the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media.

    How will the relocation and conversion work be financed?

    The costs for the conversion work and the renovation of the west hall will be covered by silent green Kulturquartier as the landlord. The funds for the installation of the movie theater and the relocation costs will be provided by the Federal Commissioner for Culture and the Media.

    Is the long-term existence of the Arsenal in silent green secured?

    Silent green is carrying out the investments in the west hall and the office building Gerichtstraße 53 with the intention of offering Arsenal a long-term residence and has concluded a 20-year rental agreement with Arsenal. By guaranteeing a fair and fixed rental price for the entire period, silent green ensures that Arsenal has long-term prospects of staying.

    Funded by:

    • Logo Minister of State for Culture and the Media