The Alpes-Maritimes department implements a new pricing policy at the Jean-Paul Belmondo cinema located at Place Garibaldi in Nice. The stated objective: to facilitate access to screenings and boost attendance at a venue dedicated to auteur cinema.
Since Thursday, April 9, the departmental cinema Jean-Paul Belmondo, located at Place Garibaldi in Nice, has implemented a new pricing policy. Classified as an art house, the establishment is adjusting its prices to make screenings accessible to more spectators. This direction is part of an initiative led by the Alpes-Maritimes department, with a particular focus on purchasing power and cinema attendance.
The new pricing structure targets several audiences. Youth under 18 now benefit from a ticket price of 4 euros for all screenings. Students can attend screenings for 5 euros. This initiative aims to encourage more regular attendance from young audiences and facilitate access to culture from an early age.
Two subscription cards are also being introduced. The “Cinéphile” card is offered at a price of 10 euros per year. This option allows holders to attend all screenings for 5 euros. Another offer, called “Ciné Pro”, targets cinema professionals and educators. This annual card costs 5 euros and also provides access to screenings at 5 euros. This system supports the missions of transmission and mediation in relation to cinema.
A program designed to diversify audiences
Beyond ticket prices, the programming is evolving with several announced initiatives. The “Ciné famille” initiative offers screenings intended to be shared across generations. The “Ciné solidaire” program caters to disadvantaged groups, in collaboration with associations and medical-social organizations. The “Ciné atelier” offer combines a screening with a practical workshop on image education for younger audiences. Finally, “Ciné rétro” invites audiences to rediscover works from the cinematic heritage.
The Jean-Paul Belmondo cinema maintains a programming focus on auteur films, international movies, documentaries, and heritage works. Each week, subtitled original version films are available. Meetings, festivals, debates, and special sessions complement the offer. This diversity helps make the venue a space for exchanges around the seventh art.
Located in the heart of Place Garibaldi, the establishment holds a recognized place in the local cultural life. The site attracts around 57,000 spectators annually. More than 435 events are organized there. Approximately 5,000 students participate in image education programs.
A cinema anchored in Nice’s history
The venue has a long history. Opened in 1911 under the name Cinema Mercury, the establishment has been part of Nice’s cultural landscape for over a century. In 2007, the takeover by the Alpes-Maritimes Department prevented its closure. In 2021, the cinema was renamed in honor of Jean-Paul Belmondo.
A budget of 2.5 million euros is allocated by the Alpes-Maritimes department to support the cinematographic sector. This funding supports creation and distribution. Thanks to the aid fund, 46 feature films and 57 television works have been filmed in the department. Each year, 1,000 sessions are organized in 36 municipalities in the high and midlands. More than 10,000 young people benefit from image education activities.
The entity also positions itself as a partner in several cinema-related events. These include the Cannes Film Festival, Canneseries, and the WAIFF. This involvement reflects a commitment to supporting the industry at various levels.
With this new pricing policy, the Jean-Paul Belmondo cinema is taking a concrete step forward. The reduction in prices and the creation of new subscription offers are accompanied by an expanded program. The overall aim is to attract new audiences while maintaining an editorial line focused on auteur cinema at a time when the film industry is facing significant challenges.
