With a significant attendance, contentious projects, a strong associative dynamic, and solid partnerships and support: the La Rivière cinema presented a very satisfactory assessment on Thursday during its general assembly, in the presence of 85 of its 172 members, as well as the mayor, Yvan Jolivel-Robert.
With a programming focused on quality and diversity, the cinema welcomed 22,731 spectators in 787 screenings, an average of 28.9 spectators (national average: 21). Art house films accounted for 52% of the programming, youth and heritage films 6.5% each. Attendance remains fairly balanced throughout the week, with a peak on Sunday in the late afternoon.
Aiming for a return to financial balance?
This attendance coupled with an increasing average ticket sales has halved the projected deficit; a return to balance is expected by 2026 with the help of the National Cinema Centre (€15,000), newly granted after a hiatus due to closure for renovations in 2024. The opening to students remains a strong focus, with more activities and an increasing influence beyond the area.
More volunteers
The great satisfaction expressed by the president Olivier Gorenflot was about the commitment of an increasing number of active volunteers, reaching 96. “The cinema lives on the work of volunteers and the two employees.” This volunteer work – with around fifty volunteers mobilized each week for screenings – is equivalent to six full-time positions, or a minimum of €262,000.
Among the projects mentioned in addition to those already launched (opera-ballets, Quai des Mondes, etc.), the Fête de la Musique will lead to an inter-associative event on the theme of the 90th anniversary of paid vacations. In addition to screenings, a picnic with music will be organized by the water. The idea of a cinema-book-literature weekend has also been suggested for the fourth quarter.
