Filmhuis Cavia

Image from Lesia Joukova

Image from Lesia Joukova

Image from Lesia Joukova

Image from Lesia Joukova

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Filmhuis Cavia is a small neighbourhood cinema that mainly programs arthouse films, small special film projects, documentaries and imported films. The film house is located in the Westerpark district.

Nonprofit

Filmhuis Cavia has been showing non-profit special films with a minimal budget for more than 30 years at a special location in Amsterdam, namely the old Princess Beatrix Schippers boarding school between Van Hall and De Kempenaarstraat, which we share with many artists and a kickboxing school.

Founded by a squatters' movement

Filmhuis Cavia was founded in 1983 by a squatters' movement from the Staatsliedenbuurt, including the now-deceased producer René Scholten. No one knows where the name Cavia 'Guinea Pig' comes from, but it is suggested that it is derived from the former name Cultural Audiovisual Center Amsterdam (CAVCA) or Kollektief Audiovisueel Kafé Amsterdam (KAFKA).

Smallest cinema in Amsterdam

With only 40 seats, Cavia is one of the smallest cinemas in the Netherlands, and the smallest in Amsterdam. We shoot our films traditionally on 16 and 35 mm as much as possible. All employees have been volunteers from the very beginning. Filmhuis Cavia adheres to the do-it-yourself mentality of the squatting movement. This means that we do everything ourselves, including repairs. Cavia is a non-profit organization and receives a subsidy from the West district.