ICTA Announcement of 2024 EMEA Award Winners

ICTA has awarded Lumière Cinema Restaurant Café, Maastricht, Netherlands the Best Arthouse Cinema of the Year
Cologne, Germany & New York City, NY ( May 21, 2024 ) -

The International Cinema Technology Association (ICTA) today announced the 2024 winners of the ICTA EMEA Awards, celebrating technological leadership, design and innovation in the cinema exhibition sector. The award winners are CinemaxX Berlin (VUE International), Germany: Best Cinema Refurbishment of the Year, Lumière Cinema Restaurant Café, Maastricht, Netherlands: Best Arthouse Cinema of the Year and The Light Redhill, UK: Best New Build Cinema of the Year. The owners and operators of the winning cinemas will be presented with their awards on 16th June at 7:00 PM during ICTA’s EMEA Awards Reception in Barcelona, just before the start of CineEurope.

ICTA is a global network of professionals in the motion picture industry. Its 220 members from around the World are the driving force behind cutting-edge technological advancements in theatrical exhibition. Each year, the association awards cinema operators and individuals that champion and celebrate innovation in cinema with the ICTA EMEA Awards. This year’s winners are:

  • CinemaxX Berlin (VUE International), Germany: Best Cinema Refurbishment of the Year

    • Tim Richards and Frank Thomsen

  • Lumière Cinema Restaurant Café, Maastricht, Netherlands: Best Arthouse Cinema of the Year

    • David Deprez and Aerd de Boode

  • The Light Redhill, UK: Best New Build Cinema of the Year

    • James Morris and Jo Lee

    ICTA’s International Directors, Till Cussmann, Cathy Huis in ‘t veld Esser, Oliver Pasch and Jan Runge jointly congratulate all award winners:

    “We are thrilled to honor these outstanding cinemas and individuals. Their investments into innovating the theatrical experience and their outstanding showmanship contribute hugely to driving local audiences to their cinemas. We are particularly happy that the owner-operators will be present on 16th June to accept their awards in Barcelona. Congratulations to all winners on behalf of your partners in the cinema technology community.”

    The cinema companies comment on their winning:

    Tim Richards, Founder and CEO of VUE International commented:
    “We’re delighted CinemaxX Berlin has been recognised by ICTA as the best cinema refurbishment, following its completion last year. The renovation forms part of our wider programme of premiumisation and investment in Germany and included replacing all seating with recliners as well as a complete foyer refurbishment to ensure we provide our customers with the very best big screen experience. We have several more refurbishments planned in Germany this year including our site in Munich and by the end of 2024, circa 35% of our European estate will be reclined. A huge congratulations to the team involved which enabled the site to remain open and continue to welcome customers throughout its transformation.”

    David Deprez, Artistic Director of Lumière Cinema Restaurant Café:
    “Thank you, ICTA! This award holds great value for our entire team. Our mission has always been to cultivate meaningful cultural experiences within our community, and serving as a dynamic and inspiring meeting place is an essential part of that commitment. We are deeply thankful for the opportunity to spread the love for arthouse cinema from such a beautifully restored, monumental building, equipped with state-of-the-art technology. Therefore, this recognition is also a testament to the dedication of everyone involved in the creation of the cinema, including our outstanding technological suppliers. As we eagerly anticipate our upcoming 50th anniversary in 2026, we will cherish the award as motivation to reach the next level. Vive le Cinema!”

    James Morris, CEO of The Light Cinemas Group:
    “We are surprised and delighted to receive the award for Best New Cinema in Europe this year. The Light is focused on embedding cinema within a wider entertainment offer to ensure that film connects with as many people as possible. Redhill is the latest iteration of our vision which has been brought to life by our talented team including our designer, Jo Lee, and we are honoured that it has been recognised by our colleagues in the industry. We are a small operator with big ambitions and we look forward to seeing where the journey takes us.”

    Frank Tees, ICTA’s President, adds:
    “Congratulations to the outstanding award recipients and the teams behind these beautiful theatres. And a special thank you to ICTA’s International Board Directors for organizing this highly recognized award.”

    The award winners will be honored during ICTA’s Award Reception on 16th June in Barcelona.

    Professionals attending CineEurope who would like to participate in the awards reception and ICTA’s seminar can register on www.icta-web.com in the events section.

    Cinema operators are invited to participate free of charge and should email jr@janrunge.com to register and join us to celebrate their peers.