Movies under the stars
Culture meets Science at Work invites audiences to a summer of cinema in Adlershof
When the weather warms up, film lovers head to Berlin's open-air cinemas to enjoy the city's unmistakable summer vibe. Venues in the districts Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain are perennial favourites, while Freiluftkino Friedrichshagen in Treptow-Köpenick has achieved cult status with regular screenings of Leander Haußmann's thrashy comedy classic Shark Alarm at Müggelsee. This year, WISTA Management GmbH and Hörsaalkino Adlershof, a university cinema project at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, are inviting audiences to what may well be the city's smartest and cosiest open-air cinema experience.
“We explored various ideas for a cultural format that would establish an event at the site, bring people together and bring the campus to life,” says organiser Stefanie Reichardt from WISTA’s Corporate Communications team. “We considered concerts, art exhibitions, and, of course, cinema. Adlershof has a long tradition of being Berlin's largest media hub, so it seemed like a perfect fit.”
This is where Henrik Nagel came in. Through Hörsaalkino, a university cinema project that has been run for many years by physics students at HU, he already had extensive experience organising film screenings. During the semester, the team hosts an open film club every Thursday evening in the Gerthsen Lecture Theatre. He was happy about the enquiry. “We'd already been thinking about staging an open-air cinema during the lecture-free period. With WISTA, we found the ideal partner to organise an event like this, which is technically much more demanding.” Besides a good sound system, he says, the most important ingredient is a projector that delivers a clear picture even before darkness has fully fallen.
The team found exactly what they needed through mobilekino.de, which not only provides the equipment but also takes care of the film licences. The first Culture Meets Science at Work event took place in 2025 on the lawn behind the WISTA headquarters, offering a cinematic programme that combined science and entertainment. As a special feature, research institutions presented introductory programmes linked to each film, ranging from hands-on experiments to short science slams. It's typical of the campus: People create things together here.
The enthusiastic response from the audience confirmed that the organisers' idea had struck a chord. Reichardt recalls how the lawn was full with at least 200 people. The series returns in 2026 with three film evenings, all screened in the original English with German subtitles. Events start at 7.00 pm with the accompanying programme. Admission and popcorn are free. The series opens in August with Theodore Melfi's Hidden Figures, which tells the long-overlooked story of three African American mathematicians whose work helped make NASA's Mercury and Apollo programmes possible. “It's a wonderful opportunity to make women in STEM more visible,” says Reichardt.
In September, Denis Villeneuve's Arrival takes to the screen. “It's a great choice for science fiction fans,” promises Nagel. “The film is set in the near future, when extraterrestrials arrive on Earth and humanity faces a major communication challenge.” The grand finale is The Greatest Showman, a musical inspired by true events. Alongside a soundtrack that gets audiences singing and dancing, the film invites viewers to reflect on the world of nineteenth-century curiosity shows and the circus. One detail can already be revealed: Before the film begins, a student big band will take to the stage with a live performance.
The organisers are expecting up to 300 guests at each screening. Anyone wanting a guaranteed seat is encouraged to bring a blanket or deck chair. Soft drinks and water will be available from the student café MoPs. “Like with Hörsaalkino, we’re more than happy to support these student initiatives,” says Nagel. The team has also planned some weather-based special effects. “If the Berlin summer doesn't play along,” says Nagel, “we have both a terrace option and an indoor alternative.” See you at Berlin’s smartest cinema!
Peggy Mory for Adlershof Journal