Welcome to the B-cinema — where Antwerp’s film history gets a second act
A building with a cinematic past, reimagined as a space for architecture today. On 25 September 2025, we celebrated the official opening of the B-cinema
— the newest addition to our Antwerp headquarters. It became an evening of playful abundance with music, movement, roaming trolleys, reimagined movie snacks, and a wink to the building’s cinematic past.
The B-cinema is a thoughtful reimagining of Cinema Lux, Antwerp’s very first purpose-built movie theatre, dating back to 1913. We’ve given the building a new lease on life, connecting it seamlessly to our long-standing office next door — a former diamond-cutting factory. The cinema’s spirit remains alive in original wooden roof trusses, a stage pulley, and the ghost of the old projection screen.
As a nod to this rich heritage, our opening celebration featured a screening of the iconic Belgian film Meeuwen sterven in de haven (1955) — a landmark of Flemish cinema and the first Belgian film ever selected for Cannes’ official competition, starring a young Julien Schoenaerts.
Keeping a cinematic treasure alive
The original film reels, however, have taken quite a beating over time and urgently need restoration. We invite you to join us in supporting Cinematek as they work to bring this masterpiece back to the big screen — with hopes to return it to Cannes in spring 2026.
Your contribution helps preserve not just a film, but a piece of cultural history.
How to support the restoration
Donations can be made via bank transfer.
IBAN: BE14 6790 0328 6983
BIC: PCHQBEBB
Account name: Cinematheque Royale
Reference: your name + “gift restoration”
Donations are tax-deductible up to 30%. Please include your national register number (individuals) or enterprise number (companies) for tax purposes.
Want to see what film restoration truly means? Watch this behind-the-scenes video from Cinematek.
A snapshot of the evening
We’ve handpicked a selection of photos capturing the atmosphere and spirit of the opening night. Expect snapshots of a generous, joy-filled event — with music, dancing, and playful food designed to delight. Have a look at the highlights in the carousel above.
Thank you for your interest and support — together, we keep the story of our B-cinema and Meeuwen sterven in de haven alive for generations to come.