Forget the bleachers, now is the time to fill the cobbled square with seats and deckchairs! Our new Open Air concept is coming to Place des Halles for the next edition of the NIFFF.
This new elegant and less invasive set-up will have a capacity of up to 1,000 people, making the screenings – including several free ones, as is now customary – even more memorable! And with the restaurants on Place des Halles taking active part in this project, film lovers will also be able to make the most of their outside seating areas and savoir-faire.
While eagerly awaiting the line-up for the 24th edition of the Neuchâtel International Fantastic Film Festival (NIFFF), which will take place from July 4th to July 12th, 2025, genre film fans can rejoice, for the famous Open Air on Place des Halles will be coming back in a new, improved formula that can welcome up to a thousand festival-goers, twice as many as with the bleachers.
On screening nights, the iconic Neuchâtel landmark will turn into a place entirely dedicated to cine-ma: over one hundred deckchairs and some 200 seats will be set up in front of an 18-meter screen installed at the South end of the square for complete, convivial immersion. With the cafés-restaurants joining in the celebrations, you will also be able to use their outside dining areas, which layout will be specially modified to accommodate movie watching wherever you are seating, drasti-cally boosting the Open Air’s overall capacity. Plus, an improved projection booth installed near the Maison des Halles will guarantee the screenings’ quality.
ACCESS FOR RESIDENTS
This new set-up has been designed by the NIFFF and the City of Neuchâtel in close collaboration with the square’s restaurant owners. While it will be business as usual during the day, only people with a valid ticket will be able to access the Place des Halles on screening nights (from 8:45 p.m. onwards). As part of NIFFF INVASION and in collaboration with the City of Neuchâtel, the NIFFF organizes five free screenings of classic films every year (but you still need to book a ticket!). Please note that headsets will be used for late-night screenings.
The residents of Place des Halles (or who must access it to enter their building) will have permanent access and will therefore be able to enjoy all Open Air screenings free of charge.
City of Neuchâtel – NIFFF – Place des Halles restaurant owners