These include changes to regulations governing cinema decommissioning, incentives to modernise equipment, the creation of an independent film pass, and quotas for Portuguese films.

Group created by the Government

This working group was created by the Government after a significant increase in requests for the decommissioning of cinema activity. It delivered its final report on 27 March and formally presented it to the Minister of Culture on 6 April.

The document, released, outlines a sector diagnosis. It notes the concentration of supply in large urban centres, fewer cinema spectators, and the growth of streaming platforms. It proposes a response divided into three interconnected priority axes: equipment, programming, and audiences.

Reviewing declassification procedures

The document proposes reviewing declassification procedures for cinema, consulting cultural entities and local authorities, providing incentives to rehabilitate urban cinemas, and adapting public spaces for film screenings.

It also recommends supporting energy efficiency and technological modernisation of cinemas. This aligns with environmental sustainability and strengthens the facilities' competitiveness.

Author seal

Among the proposals, the creation of a "proximity and author seal" stands out, aiming to "contract financial support conditioned on compliance with the quota of Portuguese/European cinema," as well as the reorganisation of cinema typology, with incentives for transforming single cinemas into "multipoint" complexes with two or three screens.

Training film programmers

In the field of programming, the report highlights the need for training and capacity-building for film programmers and mediators, particularly for municipal technicians and cultural agents, as well as for strengthening associations and filmIt is also proposed to promote the exhibition of cinematographic heritage, namely works from the Cinematheque's recovered catalogue, in the network of municipal theatres and in the Portuguese Network of Theatres and Cinema-Theatres (RTCP), as well as to digitise and make available Portuguese cinema.e cinema.

Ensure film screenings

The document also recommends establishing protocols to ensure regular film screenings in underserved regions, especially in the country's interior.

Strengthening institutional coordination between RTP, the Directorate-General for the Arts (DGArtes), the Institute of Cinema and Audiovisual (ICA), and the General Inspectorate of Cultural Activities (IGAC), including a review of RTP's accreditation and programming support process to integrate the ICA and IGAC, is also suggested by the working group.

Regarding audiences, an in-depth study is proposed to understand motivations, habits, and barriers to film consumption, and to strengthen the National Cinema Plan's actions, including increased funding, training, and educational materials.

Cinema Pass

Among the proposed measures, the creation of a “National Independent Cinema Pass” stands out – an “incentive measure for young people to go to the cinema” – based on a monthly subscription model, aimed at building audience loyalty and ensuring greater revenue predictability for exhibitors and distributors.

The working group cited, as examples, some international cases that demonstrated successful models in promoting auteur and diverse cinema.

Guaranteeing diversity

The working group believes that the crisis in the sector requires coordinated action between the State, local authorities and cultural agents to guarantee the diversity, accessibility and sustainability of cinema in Portugal, and therefore advocates continued, integrated action to recover cinema attendance habits.

“The cinema is a space for encounters, surprises, and shared emotions, and it is precisely this irreplaceable character that makes it urgent to recover and reinforce the habits of attending cinemas,” reads the report.

Cinema preservation

Recalling that “Portuguese cinema has a long history and a remarkable international presence, especially considering the size of the country,” the working group reinforces that the preservation, modernisation, and revitalisation of cinemas is an investment in the present and future of Portuguese culture.

Involving municipalities

Following the conclusions of this report, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport announced that municipalities and organisations with responsibilities in the area of ​​cinema will be involved in evaluating the cultural impact that the declassification of cinemas has on the territories involved.

The new investigative steps include the participation of the ICA (Portuguese Institute of Cinema and Audiovisual), DGArtes (Directorate-General for the Arts), the Portuguese Cinematheque, and local authorities.

Consulting stakeholders

Created in October 2025, the working group consulted dozens of stakeholders in the sector, including producers, distributors, exhibitors, associations, festivals, shopping centres, and public entities such as municipal councils.

In 2025, 32 requests to declassify cinemas were submitted, and 12 more have been submitted since the beginning of this year.

Commercial cinema exhibition

The landscape of commercial cinema exhibition in multiplexes within shopping centres will undergo a different reconfiguration in 2026, due to the closure of Cineplace cinemas, which are subject to insolvency proceedings, and of some NOS Lusomundo Cinemas, a market leader.

According to data from the Portuguese Film and Audiovisual Institute, cinema exhibition in January of this year was limited to 450 screens, representing a decrease of 112 screens compared to 2025.

With the closure of cinemas in recent months, at least five district capitals are without regular commercial cinema screenings: Beja, Bragança, Guarda, Portalegre, and Viana do Castelo.

Leiria is also included, having lost screenings at its Cineplace and CinemaCity cinemas in the first quarter of this year, the latter due to storm damage.