Nestled within a nature reserve in the Dutch coastal village of Bergen aan Zee, Filmtheater Cinebergen occupies one of the most remarkable cinema locations in Europe. The venue, housed in De Zwarte Schuur (The Black Barn), is an eighteenth-century protected monument surrounded by forests, dunes and coastline. In September 2024, after a decade of planning and six months of careful renovation, this cherished arthouse cinema opened a second screen, doubling its programming capacity whilst preserving the intimate character that has made it a beloved destination for locals and tourists alike.
CinemaNext Netherlands provided the technical installation for the new 49-seat auditorium, including a Barco SP2K-7 projector with ICMP-X, premium sound system and Ezcaray seating, continuing a partnership that began in 2012 when Cinebergen first transitioned to digital projection.
A Monument's Challenge
Working within a protected historic building presented unique challenges. As Bea Bode, Coordinator at Cinebergen, explains: "Nothing can be changed on the exterior of a historic monument like De Zwarte Schuur. Expanding the building wasn't an option, so we had to find the solution inside. That meant digging deep, literally, with extremely limited space and accessibility. Because of the restrictions, we couldn't simply remove an exterior wall. In the end, we managed it with small equipment, though it took considerably more time than it would normally."
The sloped roof of the historic barn presented additional challenges, particularly when positioning the digital projector. But the results speak for themselves: since opening in September, visitor numbers for the final four months of 2025 showed growth of 62% compared to the same period in 2024.
For a single-screen cinema, programming is always a matter of compromise. "With just one screen, you're essentially getting in your own way," says Bode. "You want to extend successful films longer, but there's barely room because new releases are waiting to be shown. With the second screen, we can respond much better. Successful films now run comfortably for three months; that was unthinkable before. Smaller artistic films or documentaries, for which there was too little room previously, now get their chance more quickly."
CinemaNext Netherlands was a natural choice for the expansion. "We've worked with CinemaNext since 2012, when digital projection was introduced nationally in the Netherlands, and we've been very satisfied," Bode notes. "Beyond a second digital projector and a beautiful screen in auditorium 1, we naturally came to CinemaNext again for our second screen, this time also for suitable sound and the perfect seating."
The seating selection process was particularly thoughtful. "What we absolutely didn't want were overly luxurious reclining seats, because they simply don't fit Cinebergen. Plus, we would have had to sacrifice seat count. What we were looking for were comfortable seats. We found them in the Ezcaray seats with blue upholstery, complementing the sea just five kilometres from Cinebergen. So far, we've received only positive reactions, which apparently justifies our choice."
Design That Honours Heritage
The renovation went beyond adding a second auditorium. The project included a complete refresh of the theatre café, made possible through crowdfunding and a significant anonymous donation. During the work, the original eighteenth-century wooden beams, which had been boarded over in the 1970s, were uncovered and restored to view.
‘The idea of togetherness is central to Cinebergen,’ explains Bode. "The theatre should be an ideal meeting place. We also attach great importance to cooperation with local (organic) shops and businesses. Sustainability was also an important consideration during the renovation: for example, a heat pump was installed and attention was paid to improving the insulation of the building, which contributes to nitrogen reduction."
The colour palette used throughout the building reflects the surrounding landscape: sandy yellow, green, clay and blue, creating an interior that feels both contemporary and connected to the natural environment.
Exceeding Expectations
The response has been overwhelming. ‘The overall result exceeds all our expectations,’ says Bode. "The second theatre is a huge success: some visitors prefer to wait for a film to be shown in theatre 2 rather than theatre 1, mainly because of the perfect sound. That says it all, doesn't it? The same applies to the theatre café. Visitors arrive earlier or stay longer to enjoy the unique experience that Cinebergen offers."
The expanded programming now includes additional classics, hidden gems, children's films and documentaries, serving an audience that includes both local residents and tourists, many from Germany, drawn to this unique cinema in the woods.
"Cinebergen represents everything we value about independent cinema: a deep connection to community, respect for heritage and an unwavering commitment to the theatrical experience," says Matthew Jones, Head of CinemaNext Netherlands. "Supporting their expansion within such a remarkable historic building required careful planning and close collaboration. The result is a second auditorium that delivers exceptional picture and sound quality whilst honouring the intimate character that makes Cinebergen so special. We're proud to have been part of this project and to continue our long-standing partnership with such a dedicated team."
Lessons for Others
For other arthouse cinemas considering expansion or renovation, particularly those in unique or listed buildings, Bode has some practical advice: "Everything starts, of course, especially with a listed building, with a thorough investigation of the possibilities: what is and isn't allowed. Building plans are carefully assessed by both the local council and the heritage committee. In addition, choosing an architect who understands the building is very important. The same applies to the contractor: they must familiarise themselves with what is and is not allowed or possible, and come up with creative solutions if necessary."
She emphasises the importance of early involvement: "If you are housed in a listed building, it is wise to look into special subsidy options. However, bear in mind that this can be a time-consuming process, as can applying for the necessary permits from your local council. And finally, involve CinemaNext in your plans at an early stage; they will come up with solutions that can be incorporated into the building plans where necessary. I wish everyone with ambitious plans the best of luck!"
Filmtheater Cinebergen is located in Bergen aan Zee, Netherlands. For more information about CinemaNext's cinema solutions, visit www.cinemanext.com.
Technical Installation:
Projection: Barco SP2K-7 with ICMP-X (2TB)
Seating: Ezcaray cinema seats (49 seats)
Installation Partner: CinemaNext Netherlands
Where Cinema Meets Nature: CinemaNext Netherlands Helps Historic Filmtheater Cinebergen Expand