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Krasnoyarsk's oldest cinema has maintained its popularity despite the city's complicated history and continues to delight audiences with new screenings and exciting projects.

The institution, first named Pathégraph, first opened its doors in 1910. At the time, it was run by Vasily Polyakov, a pioneer of the cinema industry and a traveling exhibitor who not only introduced residents to the latest cinematic releases but also made his own films.

In 1911, he documented a troop parade in the town square in honor of the 300th anniversary of the Romanov dynasty. These shots, along with views of the Krasnoyarsk Stolby, were later included in his film "The City of Krasnoyarsk and Its Environs."

In 1917, the theatre was called "Ars." In the 1930s, it received its first sound reproduction equipment, brought from Petrograd. It was being installed at night; so that the cinema could operate as normal during the day. The audiences were then shown the audio magazine "Novosti Dnya" prior to the movies to an overwhelming success!

Later, the theatre bore names such as "Rot-Front" and "October." Its interior also changed a lot. The large auditorium acquired sloping rows of seats, and the projection booth was repositioned as well. New equipment was installed, allowing for the viewing of stereoscopic films. Audience interest was enormous. For ten years, "October" remained the only stereo-cinema in the Region.

In the late 1980s, the auditorium of the theatre began operating as a nightclub, featuring a DJ and hosting discos and musical evenings. In 1995, the cinema became the Cinema House. Ever since then, it has been a favorite spot for Krasnoyarsk residents in the city centre. Young viewers are introduced to famous Soviet war films here thanks to the "Patriot" project, and in the summer, the "Kinodvorik" (Film Yard) opens its doors to city residents, hosting evening open-air film screenings.

During school holidays, children and teenagers are welcome to attend Classes in Film to explore feature films, documentaries, and educational films, and participate in discussions and lectures. The Cinema House attracts over 45,000 viewers annually.

Larisa Antropova, director of the Cinema House:

— The Cinema House participates in a number of innovative projects, screening arthouse and independent features, as well as projects and films aimed at a wider audience. The Cinema House, as always, bridges the gap between national cinemas, prioritizing not only entertainment but also informative and educative activities.​