Kempten Open-Air cinema on the castle dump: Cancellation ensures disappointment!

Kempten Open-Air cinema on the castle dump: Cancellation ensures disappointment!

The popular Kempten film nights on the Burghalde, which have been known as the city's cultural highlight in recent years, were canceled for this year. According to Merkur Dietl company, and referred to the lack of written usage agreements on the part of the city of Kempten. This development came as a surprise to the city administration.

The cancellation is particularly unfortunate, since the cultural committee had only approved 20,000 euros for a new projector in March. The old projector had been destroyed by a lightning strike last year. The organizers had already pointed out the need for a grant and a binding usage agreement in December 2024 in order to be able to carry out the event.

Problems with the usage agreement

The city had initially signaled approval, but the corresponding usage agreement was only sent to the urgency on May 5, 2025 after several indications. Change requests of the organizers led to delays, and the last feedback from the city only came on June 3, 2025. However, there was no further communication until the cancellation, which only tightened the situation for everyone involved.

After the cancellation on June 5, the orders and already purchased tickets were canceled as soon as possible. On June 6, the city announced that a new usage agreement on June 10 should be provided. The planned films are now to be shown in the Colosseum Center, whereby the cinema team is planning a supporting program to replace the open-air feeling.

cultural importance and alternatives

Christine Müller Horn, the head of the Kempten museums, regrets the failure of the open-air cinema. The event was not only a platform for film fans, but also an important part of cultural life in Kempten. Open-air cinemas are not only very popular in Kempten. All over Germany, these events take place in various locations, such as in Butzbach, Frankfurt, Bad Vilbel and Wölfersheim, to name just a few, as on OpenAir-kino.com

It remains to be seen whether the Kempten film nights can return in the usual form. Until then, both the city and the organizers will do everything they can to be able to disappoint the film's fans and offer alternative programs.