In a significant move to revive Bhutan’s struggling film industry, two modern cinema halls are under construction in Bajo, Wangdue, and Samdrupjongkhar. Funded by the government, these new venues aim to provide filmmakers and audiences with high-quality screening experiences while also serving as cultural hubs for various artistic performances.
Each hall will feature a seating capacity of 153 and will be equipped with state-of-the-art projectors and advanced sound systems, ensuring an immersive cinematic experience. This initiative is expected to address a long-standing challenge faced by the Bhutanese film industry—the lack of proper screening venues. For years, filmmakers have relied on gewog and school multipurpose halls, which have proven to be financially unviable due to limited infrastructure and audience turnout.
Beyond film screenings, the new halls will function as multipurpose spaces, hosting musical shows, theatre performances, art exhibitions, and lectures. This expansion of cultural activities is expected to enrich local communities and provide artists with much-needed platforms for creative expression.
The construction of these cinema halls is part of Bhutan’s 13th Five-Year Plan, which envisions the development of three more halls in other locations. By improving accessibility to quality screening facilities, the initiative is set to enhance audience engagement, inspire filmmakers to produce high-quality films, and potentially open doors to international markets.
The Bhutanese film industry has faced significant setbacks, particularly in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. With the new infrastructure in place, industry stakeholders remain hopeful that these cinema halls will reinvigorate the sector, drawing more audiences and encouraging investment in local filmmaking.
As Bhutan takes these strides towards strengthening its film industry, the addition of modern screening venues marks a promising chapter for both filmmakers and cinema enthusiasts across the country.
