(L-R) The Schlappekino team: Jérôme Mergen; Jo Gutenkauf ; Léa Petitjean; Laurent Rischette; Aline Fernandes; Lukas Grevis; Mara Stieber; Credit: Schlappekino

On Wednesday 25 February 2026, cinema aficionados Schlappekino Asbl officially announced their launch as a non-profit organisation.

Born out of a group of friends and members which began watching films together, Schlappekino Asbl has announced it will organise film-based events, every second Friday evening, where people can come together to watch films, get to know each other and discuss the cinematographic works which have been viewed.

The non-profit organisation noted that although going to the cinema remains one of the most popular cultural activities, there is an ongoing decline in attendance in Luxembourgish cinemas. It highlighted that people between the ages of sixteen and 24 are especially interested in going to the cinema but ticket prices and the offerings of existing cinema events remain significant obstacles to them, with traditional cinema circuits increasingly dominated by concentrated market forces, limiting the circulation of independent and European works.

Schlappekino stated its mission is to create and develop a community around cinema, provide a safe space for intercultural exchange, diversity and inclusivity, as well as support Luxembourgish cinema and independent filmmaking that doesn’t survive in traditional cinema circuits.

By organising free-entry events and providing an inclusive experience, the organisation aims to make cinema more accessible for all demographics, providing an alternative cinema experience that is both more diverse and inclusive.

Following its official formation as a non-profit organisation, Schlappekino announced Leftovers 2026, its annual short film showcase held during the Luxembourg City Film Festival.

“Leftovers highlights short films that were not selected for the festival’s official programme, yet deserve to be experienced on the big screen, especially at a moment when attention on national cinema is at its peak,” Schlappekino said. “Although Leftovers operates fully independently from the Luxembourg City Film Festival, we deliberately host the event during the festival period, recognising the unique visibility this moment brings to cinema and the meaningful impact that shared attention can have on emerging directors and overlooked projects.”

By creating space for these works, Schlappekino said it aimed to extend the conversation around local filmmaking and offer audiences a broader cinematic landscape. 

Leftovers is not conceived as an opposition to the festival but as a complementary platform, offering an alternative perspective by showcasing films that may not align with a more strictly structured programme, yet resonate strongly with audiences and the inclusive spirit of Schlappekino.