France – Cinéma Katorza (Nantes)

Located in the heart of Nantes, Cinema Katorza is THE reference cinema theater for the Nantes population.

Created in 1920 by Salomon Katorza, a famous fairground cinema exhibitor who decided to settle in Nantes, rebuilt in 1951 after being bombed during World War 2, the Katorza was the first French cinema out of Paris to show films in Cinemascope.

With 6 screens (ranging from 70 to 325 seats) in the 70’s, it became then a famous arthouse cinema in France, by hosting famous directors like Jacques Demy, Marguerite Duras or Jean-Luc Godard and by strongly supporting the creation of the FESTIVAL DES 3 CONTINENTS and the FESTIVAL DU CINEMA ESPAGNOL DE NANTES.

Involved in the development of Arthouse Cinema in France, the Katorza is willing to propose the best of author cinema in France, in Europe and worldwide.

In order to stir up the curiosity of its audience, the Katorza hosts 10 festivals per year and creates specific events. Among them, UNIVERCINE is a cycle of 4 European Festivals (German, British, Italian and Russian) organized with the University of Nantes with a Student Jury.

Hosting famous directors from various backgrounds and countries it helps to maintain the curiosity of our audience for new talents. If the cinema hosted Ken Loach in the 90’s, Javier Bardem in 2018, we also inviterd for their first feature films, young directors like Celine Sciamma, Clement Cogitore or Julia Ducournau for passionated Q&A sessions !

Among our originals appointments, L’ABSURDE SÉANCE is a fortnightly screening dedicated to B movies, gore, fantastic and unlikely gems of exploitation cinema for geek and fans, organizing Fantastic films Nights, Zombie walks and a festival in October.

Young audiences are welcomed frequently, for specific Q&As with directors as for specific events like LES GOUTERS DE L’ECRAN, a year programme of 12 films for kids followed by specific animations… and home-made teatime.

To celebrate its 100 years Birthday, the Katorza edited a book and planned an exceptional event organized in 3 times.
3 CLAP to celebrate its story and develop the Katorza Experience :
– KATORZA STREET : visits of the cinema’s projection booths and offices, open-air entertainment troup in the street and a celebration of the cinema through films and premieres
– NEW YEAR’S EVE AT KATORZA’S including karaoke, cinema games and dancefloor
– HAPPY BIRTHDAY KATORZA : an open-air screening of the beloved child of Nantes, Jacques Demy’s LES DEMOISELLES DE ROCHEFORT introduced by a crazy aerobic lesson from Professeure Posterieur, and a 1€ entry fee for each film the following day.

Always interrogating new practices and experiences, Katorza maintains the link with the audience through social networks, original events and a carefull attention to each spectator.