The International Cinema Technology Association (ICTA) has recognized the builds and renovations at three cinemas across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) in its annual awards for the region.
The prestigious awards celebrate operators who are setting new standards for the cinematic experience. Kinopolis HafenCity in Hamburg, Germany, won for Best New Build Cinema 2025–2026. Helios Gdynia in Gdynia, Poland, won the award for Best Cinema Refurbishment 2025–2026. The Stella Cinema Rathmines in Dublin, Ireland, won Best Classic/Arthouse Cinema for 2025–2026.The ICTA international directors congratulated the winners, noting that the recipients “demonstrate a remarkable diversity of approaches—from cutting-edge new builds to advanced refurbishments and distinctive classic/arthouse concepts.”
Mark Mayfield, chairman of the ICTA, emphasized that the awards recognize not just the venues, but the “vision, passion and expertise required to create truly exceptional cinema experiences.” He added that it is “inspiring to see operators investing with such confidence in the future of theatrical exhibition.”
“These awards recognize not only outstanding buildings, but the vision, passion, and expertise required to create truly exceptional cinema experiences,“ said Mayfield. “At a time of continued transformation in our industry, it is inspiring to see operators investing with such confidence in the future of theatrical exhibition. Congratulations to all the winners and their teams for setting new benchmarks across EMEA.”
Kinopolis HafenCity
Hamburg, Germany
Boxoffice Blue Ribbon 2025 | New Build
ICTA Best New Build Cinema 2026
Kinopolis HafenCity opened in April 2025 in Hamburg’s Überseequartier, a major urban redevelopment project more than a decade in the making. Among the few new cinema openings in Germany in recent years, it represents the country’s largest new-build cinema in over a decade. With 10 auditoriums and 2,188 seats, it is the largest cinema in Hamburg and positions itself as a premium multiplex with advanced design and technology.
The cinema is distinguished by its architectural design, including a multilevel foyer with a wavelike ceiling composed of over 9,000 wooden cylinders. In addition to its unique architecture, the cinema features a high-quality bar and several lounges that encourage audiences to stay beyond the showtime. In the individually designed auditoriums, guests can choose from up to five types of cinema seats: electric recliners, sofas, premium seats, D-Box motion seats, and relaxation loungers, so every guest can find the perfect option. Each seat has its own table and mobile phone charger. Every auditorium features its own extraordinary lighting design that sets the mood for the film experience, with lighting effects tailored to the film’s genre.
Each cinema auditorium is equipped with a 4K RGB laser projector from Barco and Dolby Atmos, making Kinopolis HafenCity one of the few all-Atmos multiplexes in Germany. It features the biggest Dolby Cinema in Germany, boasting a capacity of 350 seats. The Dolby Cinema is equipped with two high-intensity Dolby projectors featuring Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos. Five auditoriums in the complex are equipped with a RealD 3D system. With more than 13,000 screenings per year, it offers one of the most extensive and varied film programs in the city, including classic movies, alternative content, live events, concerts, and operas.
In addition to traditional concessions, Kinopolis HafenCity offers a wide selection of sweet and savory snacks at its Golden Sea Bar. The choices include mini burgers, a selection of cheeses, and a chocolate soufflé. The fully stocked bar also offers a wide variety of wines, spirits, and cocktails. Guests can enjoy freshly prepared food and drinks either in the Golden Sea Bar or during their movie.
Helios Gdynia
Gdynia, Poland
Boxoffice Blue Ribbon 2025 | Renovation
ICTA Best Cinema Refurbishment 2026
Helios Gdynia represents a new generation of cinema venues designed to not only showcase films but to redefine the audience experience. Strategically located in the heart of Gdynia, it serves as a modern entertainment venue and a vibrant cultural hub on the Polish coast. The cinema combines state-of-the-art technology with thoughtful, audience-focused design. Its diverse programming ranges from mainstream releases to curated screenings, special events, and community initiatives, making it accessible and inspiring for both regular cinema-goers and film enthusiasts.
Helios considers design a strategic business tool to shape audience behavior, encourage longer visits, and build lasting emotional connections with the brand. Helios Gdynia reflects this philosophy: The cinema is designed to engage visitors from the moment they enter, turning a visit to the movies into a broader, immersive experience. “We believe this is the future of our industry—cinemas evolving from places where people simply watch films into destinations where they choose to spend meaningful time together,” said Tomasz Jagiełło, CEO of Helios.
From the moment guests descend the escalator from the mall level into the cinema world below, they are transported into a neon-drenched dreamscape inspired by Blade Runner, Cyberpunk 2077, retro-futuristic Tokyo, and the aesthetics of 1980s sci-fi. The space is engineered for modern audience behavior, particularly the desire to capture and share unique environments. To meet the expectations of digital-native moviegoers, the cinema features purpose-designed “Instagram walls” and photo zones integrated into the lobby and corridors: These subtle yet striking backdrops encourage selfies, storytelling, and content creation. The use of LED lighting across walls, floors, and ceilings creates ever-changing photo opportunities.
“Helios Gdynia was inspired by the belief that contemporary cinema must be more than a place to watch a film. The film is still the reason to come, but increasingly, the space is the deciding factor. We wanted to create a destination that is immersive, emotional, memorable, and commercially effective,” said Piotr Gieraltowski of Gieraltowski Architects and Extract Design, who designed the project. “The design draws from cyberpunk, neon cityscapes, Asian night streets, gaming culture, and the nostalgia of 1980s and 1990s science fiction, especially the atmosphere of the original Blade Runner. But it was never meant to be a themed interior. It is a layered cinema experience for different generations.”
While the cyberpunk lobby offers energy and visual drama, other areas have been carefully softened and separated to suit different emotional and demographic needs. The Helios Café is a calm, timber-accented social space with cozy lighting that is ideal for older guests, families with children, or anyone seeking a relaxed moment before or after the show. The cafe serves freshly brewed coffee, freshly squeezed juices, a wide selection of cakes and desserts, and many flavors of ice cream. Inside the cinema, the concession bars offer classic cinema favorites, including freshly prepared popcorn (salted and caramel), along with a variety of beverages and light snacks. The concession area is strategically lit with warm, contrasting hues to visually separate it from the kinetic energy of the neon lobby.
Helios Gdynia features eight state-of-the-art auditoriums, including two premium Helios Dream screens and a dedicated Imax auditorium. The venue is fully powered by state-of-the-art laser projection across all screens. Auditoriums are outfitted with 2K Christie RGB laser projectors and Christie CineLife+ Series laser phosphor systems, ensuring exceptional brightness, outstanding color accuracy, and image clarity. All auditoriums are also equipped to screen films in high frame rate (HFR), ensuring enhanced motion smoothness and uncompromising visual performance. The cinema has a comprehensive range of advanced Dolby sound systems, including Dolby 5.1 and Dolby 7.1, while its two premium Helios Dream auditoriums feature immersive, object-based Dolby Atmos technology.
The cinema features three premium screens and two distinct premium large format (PLF) experiences. The first, Imax with Laser, delivers 4K laser projection, immersive precision-engineered sound, and a spectacular large-format screen designed to captivate audiences with unparalleled scale and clarity. Complementing this offering are two Helios Dream auditoriums, the circuit’s branded PLF concept, which seamlessly combines advanced laser projection technology with the multidimensional power of Dolby Atmos sound, fully reclining seats, soft acoustic curtains, warm lighting, and lounge-style comfort.
“What makes the project special is that this impact was achieved within a very reasonable budget. We understand where cinema revenues come from, so every design decision had to create value for the operator,” said Gierlatowski. “This approach comes from over 20 years of international experience in cinema and entertainment design. The immersive lobby, programmable lighting, LED content, neon gallery, and VHS cassette art installation all work together to create not only atmosphere, but also real marketing value. Guests naturally take photos and share them on social media. That kind of spontaneous audience engagement is much more powerful than curated advertising. For me, Helios Gdynia shows how architecture, light, content, comfort, F&B, premium formats, and social media value can become one complete cinema experience.”
Above all, Helios Gdynia is recognized for its hospitality, accessibility, and audience-first approach. By offering a friendly atmosphere, modern amenities, and high-quality service, it ensures that every visitor feels welcome and valued. This commitment has made the cinema a beloved local venue — one that not only reflects the community it serves, but helps bring it closer together.
“Innovative design and premium comfort are better investments than a larger complex,” said Jagiełło. “For me, the last 5 percent of the renovation is the most important part. That’s where you distinguish yourself; that’s the accent that makes people remember your theater.”
Stella Cinema Rathmines
Dublin, Ireland
ICTA Best Classic Cinema 2026
Stella Cinema Rathmines opened in January 1923 in Dublin as the biggest cinema in Ireland. It has since gone through a number of iterations and renovations to become the iconic moviegoing destination it is today.
The architecture firm Higginbotham & Stafford designed the site as a movie palace, replete with a second-story balcony in an auditorium that could accommodate up to 1,283 patrons. The cinema’s Art Deco style was emblematic of similar moviegoing destinations of the period and remains one of the site’s most recognizable elements today.
Like many other single-screen palaces of the 1920s, Stella Rathmines was converted into a twin during the 1980s. Its original design elements were restored and put back in place during a renovation that began in 2015. That renovation retrofitted the theater as a single-screen cinema, restoring the balcony level to its former grandeur. Completed in 2017, the renovation is a striking example of a community restoring a relic of film history back to its iconic glory. Inside, the cinema features expanded food and beverage options and delivers a presentation in line with modern standards, thanks to a Barco SP4K15B laser projector.
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