Thessaloniki Cinema Museum

Location: Beach Promenade
Don't miss: Museums guide (free admission dates and other useful info)

The Cinema Museum is located along the port of Thessaloniki, at the building of Warehouse A, on Quay 1, next to the Museum of Photography. This museum was established in 1997 when Thessaloniki was selected as the Cultural Capital of Europe. Its opening coincided with the celebration of the centenary of cinematography. Today, the museum is an independent part of the Thessaloniki International Film Festival and operates under the supervision of the Greek Ministry of Culture.

The museum aims to collect, preserve, and display items related to the history of Greek cinema. It was originally based on the collection of Nikos Bililis, a cinematographer from Thessaloniki. Today, it displays a varied collection of items from the early 20th century onwards, showcasing the evolution of filmmaking in Greece from its earliest days to the movies screened in theatres today. The exhibits include pieces of machinery, such as cameras, film-developing tanks, lenses, photographs from almost two thousand movies, posters, animation reels, and more.

The Cinema Museum also houses an extensive archive that includes information on film festivals and biographical data of actors and directors. What is more, the museum researches material relating to the art of cinematography and organizes seminars, educational programs, and film screenings in collaboration with other cultural institutions.