2025 EMEA Award Winner for Best New Build Cinema of the Year: EMOTION Kino Monheim am Rhein (Germany)

Cologne / Knoxville – 16 April 2025 – The International Cinema Technology Association (ICTA) is proud to announce the first winner of its 2025 ICTA EMEA Awards: EMOTION Kino Monheim am Rhein, Germany, has been named Best New Build Cinema of the Year.

This prestigious award recognises outstanding technological excellence, design, and innovation in cinema exhibition. EMOTION Kino Monheim am Rhein impressed the selection committee with its unique blend of high-end design, boutique character, and cutting-edge technology, including a Premium Large Format (PLF) auditorium. Its role as a vibrant community cinema in the heart of Monheim am Rhein further underlines its significance and made it stand out among a strong field of nominations.

The award will be presented on 15th June 2025 during ICTA’s annual EMEA Awards Reception in Barcelona, just before the start of CineEurope.

Additional ICTA EMEA Award winners – in the categories Best Cinema Refurbishment and Best Arthouse Cinema – will be announced in the coming weeks.

Mark Mayfield, ICTA President, congratulates the winners:

“EMOTION Kino Monheim am Rhein sets a bold new standard with its boutique design and cutting-edge technology. In a market like Germany, where premium boutique cinema concepts remain relatively rare, this is a remarkable achievement — especially in a growing, but not major, city. It’s a shining example of how local cinemas can lead the way in reimagining the moviegoing experience. Congratulations to Julian Rüttgers and Thomas Rüttgers for this great achievement!”

A Cinema Built for the Community

Located in the centre of Monheim am Rhein, EMOTION Kino features 570 seats across six uniquely designed auditoriums, offering a mix of blockbuster cinema, European film, alternative content (Event Cinema), and private events.

EMOTION Kino is a destination: its striking foyer and individualised auditoriums aim to spark emotion and inspire connection. The venue is a joint achievement of Deutsche Theaterbau (planning and execution), Quadrat P Raum + Licht (design), and ECCO Cine Supply and Service GmbH (technology partners).

Technical highlights include CINITY, Ultimate, Ultimate Studio, Dolby Atmos, Dolby Surround 7.1, D-BOX motion seating, RealD 3D, and Strong MDI screens. The cinema features seating from Euroseating, Encore, and Infinity Seating.

Statements from the Operators

Julian Rüttgers:

“Our vision was to create a cinema that inspires people to head into town again — a place filled with joy and passion. We aim to evoke emotions through our unique foyer, six individually designed auditoriums, and a diverse programme that includes films, live events, and special screenings. Thank you, ICTA, for recognising our commitment to the future of cinema with this special award.”

Thomas Rüttgers, commented:

“As a long-time ICTA Board Member, I appreciate this recognition all the more. Competition in the German and European market is fierce, which makes me incredibly proud that my cinema stood out as the best new build far and wide.”

Join Us in Barcelona

The 2025 ICTA EMEA Awards will be presented during ICTA’s Awards Reception on 15 June 2025 at 7:00 PM in Barcelona, on the eve of CineEurope.

Professionals attending CineEurope can register for the reception and ICTA’s seminar via www.icta-web.com under the Events section. Cinema operators are invited to attend free of charge and should email jr@janrunge.com to register and celebrate their peers.

A media kit featuring images and background information on EMOTION Kino Monheim is available [here].

About ICTA

The International Cinema Technology Association (ICTA) is a global network of professionals dedicated to advancing cinema technology and innovation. With over 220 member companies worldwide — including cinema operators, technology manufacturers and integrators — ICTA supports excellence in theatrical exhibition through education, networking, and recognition of industry achievements. Its annual EMEA Awards honour cinemas and individuals that lead the way in creating exceptional moviegoing experiences. www.icta-web.com. 

Media Contact:

 Jan Runge
 International Representative
 International Cinema Technology Association (ICTA)
 jr@janrunge.com
 Genter Str. 25, 50672 Cologne, Germany

Previous Winners of the ICTA EMEA Awards include

New Build Screen of the Year – EMEA

2015: CinemaPink Akmerkez, TK (Serdar Sener, Selim Yavuzoglu)

2016: Vue Cinema Alkmaar, NL (Ron Sterk)

2017: Hollywood Megaplex Pluscity + Imax Pasching, Austria

2018: Cinestar 4DX, Mall of Split, Croatia (Hrvoje Krstulovic)

2019: CGV Mars, Ankara Atakule, TK (Hakan Asker)

2020: Muvi Cinemas, u-Walk site, Riyadh (Adon Quinn)

2021: Kinepolis Leidschendam (Eddy Duquenne)

2022: UGC Ciné Cité Part-Dieu, Lyon (Hugues Borgia)

2023: Cineplexx Ljubljana, Slovenia (Christof Papousek)

2024: The Light Redhill (James Morris and Jo Lee)

Best Cinema Refurbishment of the Year – EMEA

2018: Cineplexx Millenium City, Vienna (Christof Papousek)

2019: Odeon Leicester Square, UK (Carol Welch)

2021: Filmpalast Kassel (Juliane de Boer)

2022: Cineworld, Belfast (Shaun Jones)

2023: Cineplex Münster, Germany (Ansgar and Anselm Esch)

2024: CinemaxX Berlin (Frank Thomsen and Geoff Moore)

Classic Screen of the Year – EMEA / Arthouse Cinema of the Year (as of 2023)

2015: Imperial Copenhagen, DK (Jan Petersen, Jan Rasmussen)

2016: Odeon Leicester Square, UK (Mike Bradbury)

2017: Tennispalatsi, Helsinki, Finland (Veronica Lindholm, Janne Uusi-Kölli)

2018: Zoo Palast Berlin, Germany (Joachim Flebbe, Sascha Rybnicki)

2019: Bio Capitol, Stockholm, Sweden

2020: Pathe Tuschinksi, Amsterdam (Jacques Hoendervangers)

2021: Cinemateket Oslo 

2022: Le Grand Rex, Paris (Alexandre Hellmann)

2023: Sittard, The Netherlands (Marie-Rose Vandenbergh)

2024: Lumière Cinema Restaurant Café, Maastrich (David Deprez and Aerd de Boode)

New Screen of the year (2017 – 2018)

2017: Arcadia Cinema Melzo, Italy (Piero and Laura Fumagalli)

2018: Village World @ The Mall Athens, Greece (George Christodoulou)

Screen of the year (2016)

2016: Cinecitta Nürnberg, DE (Wolfram and Laura Weber)