Ciné Sura
A historic non-profit cinema in Echternach, Luxembourg, run largely by volunteers and known for its small festivals, which closed its doors in July 2026.
Last updated September 26, 2026
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Overview
Ciné Sura is a cinema in Echternach, Luxembourg, with roots going back to 1896, when photographer Jacques Marie Bellwald gave the first cinematographic presentation in Luxembourg directly opposite the site of the present cinema. A permanent cinema, the Cinéma Seffer, opened in 1919 on the spot where Ciné Sura now stands. During the German occupation in 1940 it was renamed Ton und Lichtspieltheater Germania Echternach. After the war it reverted to its earlier name and in 1949 was taken over by Herschbach and Gausche. Competition from the Cinéma Plaza, which opened in 1950, led the Sura to close in 1962; the Plaza followed seven years later. In 1969 Madame Emilie Barbelé-Heuertz bought the cinema back, but it operated for only three more years and closed in 1972. In 1987 a group of cinephiles led by Michel Kneip began efforts to revive the Sura, and in 1988 the Ciné Sura ASBL was founded. More than 12 million Luxembourg francs were raised, and restoration began in 1990. The new Ciné Sura reopened on 21 November 1991. In 2005 a new committee was formed under the presidency of Michael Dohrmann; the cinema gained an open-air screen and managed to be the only cinema in the country not running a deficit that year. The cinema was a member of the Centre de diffusion et d'animation cinématographique (CDAC) and, until 1 July 2026, of Cinextdoor, the umbrella association of regional cinemas, from which it was expelled at an extraordinary general meeting for violating internal rules and the CDAC statutes. It screened current films but stood out for a range of small festivals, such as the One World Trilogy, the Clipstar short film festival and the French Festival. Its staff were almost all volunteers, aged from 15 to retirement, including pupils, teachers, doctors and educators. The only prerequisite was a love of cinema and the necessary time and patience. In early July 2026 the cinema abruptly closed its doors.
History
The history of cinema in Echternach begins in 1896, when photographer Jacques Marie Bellwald gave the first cinematographic presentation in Luxembourg directly opposite the site of the present Ciné Sura, making Echternach the birthplace of Luxembourg cinema. In 1919 the Cinéma Seffer opened as the first permanent cinema in Echternach, on the spot where Ciné Sura now stands. During the German occupation, in 1940, the cinema was renamed Ton und Lichtspieltheater Germania Echternach. It survived the war, was renamed back after 1945, and in 1949 was taken over by Herschbach and Gausche. During the cinema boom, the Cinéma Plaza opened in Echternach in 1950, where the Cactus store is today. The two cinemas competed for 12 years until the Sura closed in 1962; the Plaza followed seven years later. In 1969 Madame Emilie Barbelé-Heuertz bought the cinema back, but it operated for only three years. After much back and forth, the Echternach cinema closed in 1972. It would take 15 years until 1987, when a group of cinephiles under the direction of Michel Kneip came together to try to bring the Sura back to life. In 1988 the Ciné Sura ASBL was founded. More than 12 million Luxembourg francs were raised, and in 1990 restoration of the cinema began. The new Ciné Sura opened on 21 November 1991. In 2005 a new committee was formed under the presidency of Michael Dohrmann. The Sura gained an open-air cinema and also managed in 2005 to be the only cinema in the country not running a deficit, thus manoeuvring out of a crisis. The cinema was a member of the Centre de diffusion et d'animation cinématographique (CDAC). Until 1 July 2026 it was also a member of Cinextdoor, the umbrella association of regional cinemas, but was expelled at an extraordinary general meeting of the umbrella association for violating internal rules and the CDAC statutes. The cinema screened current films but stood out through a range of small festivals, such as the One World Trilogy, the Clipstar short film festival and the French Festival. Its staff were almost all volunteers, aged from 15 to retirement age, including pupils, teachers, doctors, educators and all kinds of people. The only prerequisite for taking part was a love of cinema and the necessary time and patience. In early July 2026 the cinema abruptly closed its doors.
- 2026
Expelled from Cinextdoor on 1 July; cinema closes in early July.
- 2005
New committee formed under Michael Dohrmann; open-air cinema added; only cinema in the country not running a deficit.
- 1991
The new Ciné Sura opens on 21 November.
- 1990
Restoration of the cinema begins after raising over 12 million Luxembourg francs.
- 1988
Ciné Sura ASBL is founded.
- 1987
A group of cinephiles led by Michel Kneip begins efforts to revive the Sura.
- 1972
The Echternach cinema closes after a long period of uncertainty.
- 1969
Madame Emilie Barbelé-Heuertz buys the cinema back.
- 1962
Ciné Sura closes after 12 years of competition.
- 1950
Cinéma Plaza opens in Echternach, creating competition.
Products and positioning
A volunteer-run, community-oriented arthouse and festival cinema in Echternach, Luxembourg.
Film screenings
Current films shown in a 109-seat air-conditioned hall.
Open-air cinema
Added in 2005.
Festivals
One World Trilogy, Clipstar short film festival, French Festival.
Sources2 sources
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