Great news for film buffs, fans of auteur cinema, and cinephiles alike: the independent cinema La Clef is set to reopen its doors on January 14, 2026, after years of closure and struggle. Located in the Latin Quarter, a hub of art-house cinema, La Clef was forced to shut down in 2018 due to rising rent costs.
Behind this highly anticipated reopening, stands the La Clef Revival collective, backed by 200 volunteers who fought tirelessly to save this cinema—described as “independent, self-managed, community-oriented, and solidarity-driven”—located on Daubenton Street, which first opened its doors in 1973.
"We (the current users of La Clef) want to sincerely thank everyone who has supported us along this long journey! After six years of dedication and effort— including two and a half years of illegal occupation, two years of fundraising, and a year and a half of renovation — we're thrilled to finally announce the permanent reopening of the cinema: screenings will resume on Wednesday, January 14! The schedule for upcoming films will be announced at the start of the new term," shares the collective on their website. "This is a permanent reopening because we've done everything possible to ensure this space remains a independent, community-run cinema forever. It cannot be sold, and will be managed and programmed collectively by its users, who commit to prioritizing less widely distributed films and offering affordable, solidarity-based ticket prices.
And he continued: "The fact that so many people fought to save La Clef is to ensure the continuation of an autonomous management that was born out of illegality, but also to preserve all the memories this cinema holds—historially rooted in stories on the margins. While our programming is intentionally eclectic and free, we are committed to maintaining a link with the activist history of this place and to expressing, through images and actions, our solidarity with those who are currently fighting for greater social justice and against all forms of oppression."
The story of this reopening has been anything but smooth sailing. As early as September 2019, dozens of volunteers took it upon themselves to occupy the independent art house cinema, despite the fact that the building’s owner—a workers’ committee from the Île-de-France Caisse d’Épargne—was determined to shut the venue down. Over the following months, they hosted hundreds of screenings before being forcibly evicted by law enforcement in early 2022.
La Clef Revival has established a dedicated endowment fund and launched a fundraiser that has raised €100,000 from 5,000 supporters. By June 2024, they aim to become owners of the venue through an €800,000 bank loan. The reopening project has garnered support from Hollywood legends such as Martin Scorsese, Quentin Tarantino, and the late David Lynch.
Following extensive renovations supported by funding from the CNC, the Île-de-France region, and the City of Paris, the historic La Clef cinema has undergone essential upgrades, including asbestos removal, fire safety improvements, electrical work, and accessibility enhancements. The venue is set to reopen in early 2026, featuring two screening rooms equipped with digital and 35 mm formats (one with 120 seats and the other with 65). Visitors can also look forward to a new bar and a pay-what-you-want ticket system!
Location
La Clef
34 Rue Daubenton
75005 Paris 5
Official website
laclefrevival.org
