Athens (Greece), 8 July 2026 – CinemaNext, a European leader in cinema innovation, today announced the successful sale and installation of 28 premium luxury seats at the ARIAN EXPERIENCE outdoor cinema in Glyfada, Athens, marking a historic first for an open-air cinema in Greece.
The landmark installation comprises 25 Infinity Storm Sofa seats and 3 Infinity Storm Armchairs, purpose-engineered and specially treated for continuous outdoor use. The project redefines what audiences can expect from the Greek summer cinema tradition, bringing an unprecedented level of comfort, elegance, and durability to a beloved open-air cinema experience.
A First in Greek Cinema History
Outdoor cinemas, called Therina Sinema, hold a cherished place in Greek culture, with audiences gathering under the stars each summer for generations. ARIAN Cinema is one of Glyfada's most beloved open air cinemas, drawing a loyal audience with its relaxed atmosphere, quality programming, and prime location in one of Athens' most sought-after coastal suburbs, just minutes from the sea. Under the ownership of George Gakas and Kostas Giannopoulos, ARIAN has consistently invested in the quality of the experience it offers, and this latest installation sets a new benchmark for outdoor exhibition across the country.
"This installation represents a defining moment not just for ARIAN Cinema, but for the entire outdoor cinema landscape," said Gerrit Doorn, Head of International Sales for CinemaNext. "The Storm collection was already celebrated for its design and comfort in indoor venues. Bringing it outdoors — and doing so for the very first time in Greece — is something we at CinemaNext are enormously proud of. We are grateful to the Gakas and Giannopoulos families and their teams for their trust and vision in making this project a reality.”
"At ARIAN, we have always believed that watching a film under the open sky should feel special, not just because of the setting, but because of every detail of the experience," said George Gakas, Co-Owner, ARIAN Cinema. "The bespoke premium sofa and armchair seats delivered by CinemaNext are unlike anything you will find at an outdoor cinema in Greece. Our audiences deserve that level of comfort, and we are proud to be the first to offer it."
Engineered to Endure the Elements
The success of this installation rests on a rigorous outdoor engineering specification, developed by Infinity Seating in close collaboration with CinemaNext's seating experts and ARIAN Cinema. Every seat is fully upholstered in a maritime-grade faux leather, chosen for its resilience to sun exposure, humidity, and the demands of intensive seasonal use. The internal structure has been purpose-built to resist rain and moisture ingress, while the framework is constructed from high-pressure-treated timber to deliver long-term resistance to the elements, ensuring every seat remains structurally sound and low-maintenance across many seasons of outdoor use.
CinemaNext provides turnkey cinema seating services for new builds and auditorium refurbishments, removing the complexity for cinema operators of managing multiple suppliers through a single point of contact. From initial planning to final installation, the company delivers an end-to-end solution spanning bespoke layouts and 3D renderings, technical and regulatory guidance, expert seating selection, and complete transportation, installation, and on-site management. Backed by strong vendor relationships and proven expertise, CinemaNext has installed more than 3,000 seats and recliners across Europe and beyond since 2023, from standard and boutique seats to recliners, always tailored to each client's needs.
CinemaNext and ARIAN EXPERIENCE Cinema Make History with First-Ever Premium Luxury Seating Installation at an Outdoor Cinema in Greece