The Institut Français at Schillerplatz is our Festival Center 2026. It regularly hosts film screenings, concerts, readings, and exhibitions, offering insights into the diversity of the French art scene and beyond. The Institute is also an important partner for local artists and cultural professionals seeking cultural exchange with France. It's a cultural center that actively promotes the French language and culture in the region. The Institute is a place of learning as well as a vibrant cultural meeting point.
How to get there
The Institut Français Mainz is located at Breidenbacherstr. 9, 55116 Mainz. Parking is available, for example, at the Schillerplatz parking garage. The Institute can be conveniently reached by public transport via bus lines 54, 55, 56, 57, 60, 61, 62, 63, 71, night lines 90, 91, 92, or tram lines 50, 51, and 52.
The CAPITOL Filmtheater is the oldest cinema in Mainz - since 1933 it has been the most beautiful and at least in our opinion it's certainly the one with the best program. When the cinema was our festival center in 2023 it was still run together with PALATIN. Today it's run together with the Arthouse Kinos Frankfurt. In any case, our team falls for the wonderful charm and the countless hours of cinema in the atmospheric room.
How to get there
CAPITOL, Neubrunnensraße 9, 55116 Mainz. At the cinema box office you can get discounted parking tickets for the parking lot "Bleiche in der Balthasar-Maler-Gasse". It's open 24 hours a day. From there it's a one-minute walk to the movie theatre.
The Electoral Palace in Mainz (German: Kurfürstliches Schloss) is one of the important Renaissance buildings in Germany. Located right next to the river Rhine its garden is a lively, central spot in our favourite city. It is the former city Residenz of the Archbishop. Come by and enjoy the atmosphere with local treats. During the Corona edition we were happy to host out wonderful Open Air here.
How to get there
The Kurfürstliches Schloss is located at Diether-von-Isenburg-Straße 1, 55116 Mainz. In case of public transportation, take bus 54 | 56 | 58 | 6 | 66 | 68 “Kurfürstliches Schloss”.
The Neue Golden Ross Kaserne provided creative space to the Arc Film Festival as its festival center in 2018 and 2019. With its ample interior space and conducive to cinematic inspiration and interaction, the historical red-brick building was perfect for productive exchange and intense discussions. We are glad to have had the opportunity to proudly present the diverse works in a venue that combines neo-renaissance and loft architecture and to be a part of the thriving creative scene that it inhabits.
How to get there
The Neue Golden Ross Kaserne is located at Mombacher Straße 62, 55122 Mainz. Parking space is available right in front of the building. In case of public transportation, take bus 78 to bus stop “ORN-Betriebshof” or take tram 50 / 51 to tram stop “Schott AG” or “Goethestrasse”.
Located directly on the Rhine waterfront, 7 Grad at Zollhafen was our very first festival center and offered an open and urban space for encounters, culture, and exchange. Surrounded by contemporary harbor architecture and industrial charm, the venue combined a relaxed café atmosphere with creative energy. Large windows and views of the river create a distinctive setting that invites visitors to linger throughout the day and into the evening. It served as vibrant meeting point for our filmmakers. The unique blend of harbor flair, modern design, and cultural openness made 7 Grad a special part of Mainz’s cultural landscape.
How to get there
7Grad is located at Zollhafen Mainz. In case of public transportation, take bus 64 or 76 to the stops “Zollhafen” or “Rheinallee”.
All venues are also perfectly accessible by bicycle.
Arc Film Festival Festival Center 2026:
Institut français, Breidenbacherstr. 9, 55116 Mainz.
