Saving Hofkino: A heartfelt project needs your support.
Hofkino has enriched Zurich’s cultural summer for three years with its unique mix of a summer garden, films, and gastronomy. Now, it faces a significant existential challenge: in November 2024, three sponsors unexpectedly decided not to renew their commitment for the 2025 season, leaving a critical funding gap. The future of Hofkino is at stake – despite having many fans, steadily growing visitor numbers, and high attendance rates.
More than a cinema: Culture, sustainability, and connection.
Hofkino is no ordinary open-air cinema – it’s an open summer garden in the courtyard of the Landesmuseum Zürich. We create a space that brings people together. Even without a cinema ticket, you can enjoy sustainable gastronomy and connect with others in a relaxed atmosphere.
Our film program focuses on arthouse highlights and select Hollywood must-sees, complemented by collaborations with partners such as the Pink Apple Film Festival, the International Short Film Festival Winterthur, and the Locarno Film Festival. Additionally, we offer special events like the Climate Spotlight and thematically curated evenings.
Our gastronomy is rooted in sustainable principles: the fully plant-based menu is crafted by renowned Zurich-based establishments, showcasing our commitment to eco-friendly cuisine. Hofkino operates on renewable energy, minimizes food waste whenever possible, has exclusively used glass packaging since last year, and prioritizes sustainable construction. Our goal is to make this large-scale event as environmentally friendly as possible.
Behind the Scenes: The Financial Dimensions of Hofkino
The withdrawal of three sponsors in November 2024 has placed Hofkino in financial jeopardy for the 2025 season. To ensure that the season can go ahead and to allow us time to secure new sponsors for 2026, we need to close this funding gap.
Hofkino is entirely privately funded and does not receive any cultural subsidies. This makes it particularly reliant on support from sponsors, partners, and now, our community.
The event’s original budget was around CHF 940,000. Through various cost-saving measures, we have reduced it to approximately CHF 840,000. To cover these expenses, we rely on diverse income sources such as sponsorships, on-screen advertising, ticket sales, hospitality and client events, gastronomy, and, to a certain extent, barter deals with suppliers. However, these revenue streams are partly volatile, depending on factors such as weather, film programming, and competing events.
To give you a better understanding of the financial dimensions of such an event, here are some key budget items:
CHF 270,000 for infrastructure, furniture & equipment (tents, chairs, tribune, screen, projection, light & sound), and venue rent CHF 200,000 for personnel (setup/dismantling, on-site support, external assistance – Rico and Daniel have not received a salary to date) CHF 90,000 for energy, water, consumables, transport & storage, insurance, ticketing costs, etc. CHF 180,000 for fees, commissions for advertising placement, film rental, and marketing CHF 100,000 for purchasing goods and consumables for gastronomy Your support enables us to continue offering an exceptional film program, hosting events like the Climate Spotlight, and upholding our commitment to sustainability – in short, to keep Hofkino alive.
With your contribution, you not only secure the upcoming season but also strengthen a project that unites culture, gastronomy, and sustainability under one roof. Every contribution counts and helps ensure that Hofkino continues to bring joy to countless visitors in the summers to come.