Round of introductions

The leader introduced himself and then asked the participants to introduce themselves. They should give their name and place of study as well as information about whether there is a cinema at the university and how it works. There are networks for this and many universities have a cinema.

Information on the subject of licences

The director presents some information about licences.

• If there are 10 or more people, it is no longer considered private film watching. It doesn't matter whether you pay admission or not
• It's relatively easy with a licence. As soon as you have a licence, you can show any DVD
• Except for illegal streaming, which is of course not possible
• Netflix etc. is also fine
• Costs for the licence: approx. 200€/film, max. 2,00€ entrance fee.
• With Feuerzangenbowle: 75% must be paid, depending on the distributor
• Similar for football broadcasts, you can show if you pay GEZ
• On average, a university cinema costs €30 to €300 to visit
• Rather expensive with individual licences. There are also cheaper methods, for example a flat rate for one year with a provider. However, no direct advertising for the film may then be made and also not in general
• Special feature Feuerzangenbowle: Make sure you have a licence. There are working students who search the internet to find out whether university cinemas are showing this film and whether a licence is available

Questions from the floor

A few questions from the plenary then arise, which are answered by the leader.

• Question from a participant: Isn't that profitable? This is discussed, often no profit is made. However, it is a cultural programme and should be supported. After all, you don't make a profit if you give a first-year student a bottle of schnapps.

• Another question from the plenum: When do you need a licence? You can risk it with 10 to 15 people as long as there is no advertising and no money. With 200 people in the cinema and one of them turns on Netflix: You can't. You need the licence for the film and can then watch it on any medium (Netflix, DVD etc.).

Further exchange

Another exchange follows. There are also university cinemas that have to pay large sums for the use of rooms or projectors. It is striking that Corona has also contributed to the closure of many university cinemas. There was no cinema for two years. Those who took care of it have now graduated and there is no successor.

Information on the cinema network and further exchange

The director now moves on to information about the cinema network and explains how it works and how it is financed.

• The network takes care of all licences and advertising for the cinema. In other words, they make three layouts for the film you want to show and you can choose one of them
• A club card for little money and €2.00 per film. 75% of this goes to the network
• Drinks and snacks go 100% to the universities.
• Further financing through advertising partners of Netzwerk Kino
• Netzwerk Kino has a co-operation with Mehr Kino
• A lively exchange between the people from the university cinema and the network is important

The idea of the university cinema is that people have fun. In Kleve you expect a small cinema, at large universities you expect more. These expectations should also be met. It is important that an atmosphere is created and emotions are sold. It's different to watch a film in the cinema with others and to talk afterwards than alone at home. Advance booking is also a good idea so that you know roughly what size the room should be and how many snacks you need. The room should be at least 50% full. At the cinema, you get to know people, you can exchange ideas.

Questions from the floor

New question from the plenary: The target group is students, but can external people also take part in the university cinema with Netzwerk Kino? Anyone who has anything to do with the university can come, i.e. staff, lecturers and students. Plus every cinema-goer can take one other visitor with them. Cinemas say that this is great competition for them. But normal cinema-goers don't wait until the film is shown in the university cinema, as it takes 7 months.

There was another question from the floor. Which films can be watched in this way? Answer from the director: 6 weeks before the start of university, lists of films are sent out by the network, which films are announced, which are not and which are available. Each cinema can choose freely. Nevertheless, you should make an effort when choosing films so that the auditorium is filled. A little side fact: In Kiel, the record is that 10 percent of all enrolled students were in the cinema when High School Musical was showing. The students in Kiel carried 200 kilos of material to the 4th floor and built a real cinema auditorium themselves.

Another question from the plenum to the director: How did you come to this? Answer from the director: Only joined the student body. But doesn't watch films himself. His brother didn't want to join the FSR because his brother was there, so he got involved in the cinema. He was headhunted by his current boss because they noticed him at events. This is now his full-time job, organising the cinemas. He is also enrolled at university. He simply enjoys it.

University cinema with experts

Leiter explains that it's also nice to bring in an expert. As an example, a film about design is shown at a design university. Beforehand, 5 minutes from the expert on what to look out for in the film and 20 minutes of discussion after the film. However, this should only be done once or twice a semester. Make sure that everything is thought of.

Cinema meeting in Göttingen

A cinema meeting was organised in Göttingen. Films were shown and discussed until 4am.

Discussion

This was followed by another discussion on the topic of Corona and how many things fall by the wayside at events, for example many things are forgotten.

Conclusion from the director

Advertises the university cinema, it's just fun when it's on and lots of people go. The director handed out free tickets and vouchers. You could also look at posters that the director had brought along.