Sommerkino Kulturforum Potsdamer Platz

Arthouse under the Berlin Sky: Program and Atmosphere

The Sommerkino Kulturforum Potsdamer Platz is no ordinary open-air cinema in Berlin. With up to 1,000 visitors on comfortable deck chairs, it is one of the largest open-air cinemas in the city. The program is clearly aimed at a film-loving audience: last year’s arthouse favorites are shown, regularly also in original version with German subtitles. So, if you’re into independent dramas, auteur films, or documentaries, you’ll find what you’re looking for here. The festival also repeatedly screens award-winning productions. For example, the 2025 season opened with „The Wedding Banquet”, a modern remake of Ang Lee’s queer cinema classic, followed by „Flow”, the Oscar winner for best animated film. Children’s films are less prominent; the program appeals more to an adult, cinephile audience. Drinks and snacks are available on site, and on cooler evenings, blankets can also be rented at the box office. The Sommerkino at Kulturforum is presented in cooperation with the German-French cultural broadcaster Arte. This is evident: the film selection has substance. No blockbuster monotony, but cinema with depth.

The Location: Culture, Stroll, and Good Food Ahead

The Sommerkino is located in the cultural heart of Berlin. The Kulturforum houses the Neue Nationalgalerie, the Gemäldegalerie, the Kunstgewerbemuseum, and the Philharmonie. If you arrive early enough, you can easily combine your visit with a museum trip or a stroll along the Philharmonie. We found it particularly nice that the piazzetta in front of the Gemäldegalerie invites you to linger even before the film. If you still want to eat, you have good options: The Facil at Potsdamer Platz has two Michelin stars under chef Michael Kempf. A bit more relaxed but still highly recommended is the Ristorante Essenza at Potsdamer Platz 1, offering Italian cuisine and a wine list with over 750 items. The Sommerkino is also just a short walk from the S-Bahn station Potsdamer Platz. So, the evening can be designed from start to finish here.