Top 8 spots to watch movies in Kinshasa

Kinshasa’s film scene is anything but static. After years of cinema drought, the Congolese capital has sprouted a crop of indoor screens, outdoor pop‑ups and film festivals that make a night at the movies feel like an event. From slick multiplexes to star‑lit football pitches, here are eight places and experiences where 2025’s Kinshasa cinephiles are hanging out. Expect wry tips, precise prices and a few local secrets that even your taxi driver might not know.

1. Cinébuzz at Showbuzz (Il Mercato)

Cinébuzz is Kinshasa’s only proper multiplex, tucked inside the chic Il Mercato complex at 2366 Avenue Colonel Mondjiba. The modern theatre (operated by Cinébuzz/Showbuzz) shows blockbuster releases and African hits on a single screen with comfy seats, ice‑cold air‑con and snacks.

According to the cinema’s official rates, a standard ticket costs US $10 per person and US $5 for children. A lifestyle article on Kinshasa date nights from March 2025 notes that two adult tickets will run about USD $20 (≈44 500 CDF) and that the clientele is a mix of students, couples and off‑duty office crews. Translation: it’s popular, so arrive early to snag seats.

For an upscale night, pair your film with pizza or gelato from Il Mercato’s restaurants and take a post‑movie stroll under Showbuzz’s fairy lights. Cinematic programmes rotate weekly; check the schedule for African premieres and occasional late‑night horror marathons. If you’re after a cheap date, go on child‑discount day the seats are the same; the price isn’t. The vibe is polished but not stuffy, making Cinébuzz the go‑to for Western releases that never make it to TV.

2. Centre Wallonie‑Bruxelles (CWB)

Rebuilt in 2022 and dubbed Kinshasa’s most beautiful stage, the Centre Wallonie‑Bruxelles on Avenue du Port is more than a Belgian cultural outpost. The official WBI description highlights that the centre hosts daily events with dancers, musicians, photographers and cinéastes.

Its 2025 programme includes the “Projection du Cinéma Francophone” and other film forums, running from November through December. Screenings are typically free, but donations help keep the lights on. Expect a cultured crowd of students, francophiles and curious locals.

Kinshasa doesn’t just watch films it feels them. In a city where art spills into traffic and music seeps from every kiosk, the silver screen is finding new life. From rooftop reels to rumba-lit auditoriums, 2025’s movie scene is part cinema, part block party, and all Congolese flair. The Centre Wallonie-Bruxelles is leading the charge with Mabele Bomwasi Terre de Femme, a season drenched in color, courage, and unapologetic femininity. Think less red carpet, more red earth and stories rooted deep in the pulse of Kinshasa.

Grab a seat on the terrace bar before showtime; the terrace doubles as a film‑lover’s gossip hub. Many events are in French, so brush up on your vocabulary or sit next to someone who can whisper translations. The building itself is modernist chic all glass and steel a fitting backdrop for independent African films and visiting European shorts. If you’re planning to hit multiple screenings, pick up the printed programme at the reception desk: it’s better than relying on rumours.

3. Institut Français de Kinshasa (Halle de la Gombe)

The Institut Français de Kinshasa (IFK), also called Halle de la Gombe, doubles as a cultural centre and film haven. A 2025 lifestyle feature notes that IFK’s calendar is sprinkled with free screenings and film happenings, including the 2025 Festival du Film Européen and free evening programmes.

Screenings take place in the shaded courtyard or indoor hall on Avenue de la Justice. Admission is usually free, though popular festival nights may require advance registration early birds get the chairs, stragglers perch on the low wall.

The vibe is part picnic, part salon: families spread mats on the grass while cinephiles debate cinematography over Primus beers. IFK is also where Kinshasa’s film festivals (FICKIN, KAFF and the European Film Festival) host their masterclasses and Q&A sessions, so you might bump into directors between screenings.

Tip: bring mosquito spray and a sweater the courtyard cools once the sun dips, and the film magic lasts longer when you’re comfortable.

4. Ciné Sous les Étoiles (Terrain Comète & travelling pop‑ups)

No fancy seats here: Ciné Sous les Étoiles turns empty football pitches and community squares into open‑air cinemas. The concept, launched in 2023 by producer Hénoc Kiyombo, uses portable screens and projectors to bring Congolese and African films to neighbourhoods that lack cinemas.

An October 2025 Actualite.cd report describes an edition at Terrain Comète on Avenue de la Libération (ex‑24 Novembre) and notes that the team hopes to anchor permanent open‑air venues across six cities

Forget crowded malls this one’s pure outdoor magic. Ciné Sous Les Étoiles turns Ébène Recreational Park into a starlit movie wonderland, where the night sky doubles as the ceiling. On September 6, 2025, they screened the “Minecraft” movie complete with French dialogue and English subs no vendors, just good vibes and bring-your-own snacks. Think picnic blankets, glowing phones, and laughter echoing through the dark.

The events are accessible; social posts from 2025 advertising the screenings list 5 USD (≈13 500 CDF) for standard entry and 20 USD (≈54 000 CDF) for VIP seats – price includes a comfy chair and direct screen view. Bring extra cash for popcorn and Congolese snacks.

Expect an atmosphere closer to a block party than a formal screening: music warms up the crowd, everyone dresses in white for special “old school” nights, and local directors often introduce their films. Seats sell out fast, so reserve via the number on the posters or risk standing room. The best views are from the VIP section; standard tickets mean you may end up on the grass. If it rains (this is Kinshasa), the organisers provide ponchos but watching a movie under a tropical downpour is part of the charm.

5. Congo Biennale 2025

The third Congo Biennale isn’t just for visual artists. According to the festival programme, the 2025 edition runs from July 7 to August 30, 2025 across venues like Kin ArtStudio, the Académie des Beaux‑Arts and open‑air public spaces. The itinerary includes screenings of African films and documentaries alongside exhibitions, and general admission is free; special performances cost US $5–20. Films are shown outdoors under murals and inside repurposed warehouses, giving the art crowd a cinematic fix between gallery hops.

Arrive early for the film nights: many venues are standing‑room only, and screenings often spark lively debates with artists and activists. The best nights pair films with live music or dance, turning the experience into a multi‑sensory happening. Bring a cushion (warehouse floors are hard) and cash for craft beer and street food. This is also one of the few festivals where you can watch a Congolese documentary then chat to the filmmaker at the bar.

6. Kinshasa African Film Festival (KAFF)

Kinshasa gets its own week‑long film festival in August 2025. The Kinshasa African Film Festival (KAFF) will premiere more than thirty African and Congolese films at the National Museum of the DRC on Boulevard Triomphal, with additional screenings at the Wallonie‑Bruxelles Centre and the museum’s green space.

The official programme lists events such as an opening night focusing on Kinshasa’s urban stories, a spotlight on emerging African directors, an award ceremony and a closing film premiere. Most screenings are expected to be free or under US $10, making it accessible to students and cinephiles.

Lights, camera, Kinshasa! The Kinshasa African Film Festival isn’t just another red-carpet affair it’s a full-on cultural homecoming. Each August, the city’s creatives, dreamers, and directors turn the capital into Africa’s loudest love letter to cinema. Expect film screenings that spill into conversations, impromptu performances, and that trademark Kinois energy raw, rhythmic, and unapologetically alive. This isn’t Hollywood; it’s Halle de la Gombe with heart.

KAFF’s vibe?

Think red carpet meets garden party. Films are shown in a purpose‑built outdoor theatre; bring sunscreen for daytime sessions and a wrap for evening breezes. The festival aims to nurture a new generation of Congolese filmmakers, so workshops and networking events are plentiful – go prepared to pitch if you’ve ever dreamed of directing. For a smooth experience, download the festival app for schedules and tickets, and wear comfortable shoes: the museum grounds are bigger than you expect.

7. Festival International de Cinéma de Kinshasa (FICKIN 2025) (Oct 23 – 26, 2025)

The 12th Festival International de Cinéma de Kinshasa (FICKIN) is embracing a multi‑site concept in 2025. The festival’s official site lists dates October 23–26, 2025 and venues – Halle de la Gombe (Institut Français), the Académie des Beaux‑Arts and the Centre Culturel Bimpa (N’sélé).

A September 2025 news report notes that this edition aims to “bring cinema to the people” with film screenings, meetings and workshops across these three sites. Entry is mostly free, though special events may charge a small fee.

FICKIN is equal parts film festival and city‑wide party. Expect bustling courtyards, pop‑up bars and DJs spinning between screenings. Each venue has its own flavour: Halle de la Gombe is professional and polished; the Académie des Beaux‑Arts hosts art‑house films under giant trees; and Bimpa in N’sélé offers a relaxed garden vibe.

To make the most of it, download the programme early and map your route – Kinshasa traffic waits for no cinephile.

8. European Film Festival (Festival du Film Européen) (May 17 – 24, 2025)

Need a break from Hollywood and Nollywood? The European Film Festival  organised by the EU delegation in DRC with the Institut Français returns to Kinshasa May 17–24, 2025.

The festival offers free screenings of European films, debates and workshops across several cultural spaces, aiming to bridge cultures and make quality cinema accessible

Films are subtitled in French; look out for children’s matinees and late‑night thrillers.

The festival’s informal motto is “arrive curious, leave multilingual.” Screenings take place at the Institut Français, Centre Wallonie‑Bruxelles and other venues, with post‑film discussions led by critics and diplomats.

Because it’s free, seats fill quickly pick up tickets at the venue the day before. Bring cash for Belgian waffles and French crêpes sold at the stands, and don’t be surprised if you leave humming an Italian film score.

Kinshasa’s movie scene is booming but still in its infancy schedules change and pop‑ups pop down. Always check official pages or call ahead before grabbing popcorn. Take small bills for snacks, dress for sudden rain and, most importantly, go with an open mind: you’re not just watching films; you’re participating in the rebirth of Congolese cinema.