Sommerkino Alsterdorfer Markt

Alsterdorf — Hamburg's Northern District with a Social Profile

Alsterdorf is located in the Hamburg-Nord district, between Winterhude and Ohlsdorf. The district is primarily known for the Evangelische Stiftung Alsterdorf — one of Germany's largest diaconal institutions, which cares for and supports people with disabilities, social difficulties, or special care needs in a vast area. This shapes the district — and also the summer cinema.

Hamburg's Only Fully Accessible Open-Air Cinema

The Sommerkino Alsterdorfer Markt clearly stands out from other open-air cinema offerings in Hamburg. It is the only one in the Hanseatic city that is designed to be fully accessible:

• All films are shown with subtitles for deaf and hard-of-hearing people
• All films have audio description for visually impaired and blind people
• Induction loops are installed for hearing aid and cochlear implant users
• Accessible toilets at the venue
• Level seating and wheelchair-accessible paths

Program Highlights with a Special Character

The summer cinema combines classic film culture with innovative inclusion formats:

• Casablanca with live audio description by musician Stefan Gwildis — a unique production where the film description is transmitted live via radio headphones to visually impaired visitors
• Films like Imagine and Buddy with the innovative Greta & Starks app, which transmits audio description or subtitles to smartphones and synchronizes them with the film audio
• Classics and newer films with a special inclusive connection

Format and Atmosphere

The summer cinema typically takes place every Friday evening in August (exact dates will be confirmed in early summer). The organizer is the Evangelische Stiftung Alsterdorf. The film projection is shown on a large outdoor screen, with seating on the Alsterdorfer Markt. Before the film, there is a reception with snacks available.

Free Admission

The summer cinema is free to access. Reservations are not strictly necessary but are recommended for seats with special support needs ([email protected], phone 040 5077 2020 until 12 PM the day before the event).

Why This Is Important

Open-air cinema is common in German major cities — accessible open-air cinema, however, is rare. With the Sommerkino Alsterdorfer Markt, the Evangelische Stiftung sends a clear inclusive message. For people with sensory impairments, it is one of the few film offerings in Hamburg designed for them from the outset — not a retrofitted solution, but inclusion as a concept.