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Opened originally in 1910, the coastal venue has served variously as a cinema, theater, and dance hall before closing more than two decades ago. The upcoming reopening scheduled for mid-September marks a permanent return for the landmark after a brief, temporary revival during the Bellaria Film Festival.
Agreement and Management Details
The Municipality of Bellaria Igea Marina officially recognized the public interest of the property, securing a temporary five-year renewable use agreement for the space. Approdi will operate the venue as a tenant following a contract established with the Lugaresi family, who own the real property. Sergio Canneto, founder of Approdi, stated that the organization intends to transform the former picture house into a space open to diverse artistic languages and community activities.
Programming and Community Integration
Scheduled activities at the renewed Apollo extend beyond traditional film screenings to encompass live music, theatrical performances, entertainment nights, and performance art installations. According to Canneto, the venue will maintain a direct connection with the annual Bellaria Film Festival by hosting associated events and screenings. In addition to cultural programming, the facility will host educational courses for the local community covering subjects ranging from psychotherapy to video editing software training.
Historical Context and Prior Revived Openings
Located on the Romagna coast, the Apollo operated for decades as a central pillar of local culture before sitting shuttered for over twenty years. The site experienced a brief operational window last May when festival organizers utilized the space for special screenings during the Bellaria Film Festival. The upcoming September relaunch establishes the first permanent, continuous programming schedule for the venue in modern history, with organizers inviting residents to contribute proposals for community-driven initiatives.
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