Every Cinema Sanctum begins before the first film is shown.

Participants arrive.

There is no rush.

No immediate introductions.

The encounter begins quietly.

Over two days, participants enter into carefully prepared encounters with complete works of cinema, conversation, silence and reflection.

Questions are welcomed.

Immediate conclusions are not required.

Discussion follows experience rather than replacing it.

Moments of quiet observation are given equal importance to conversation.

Meals and walks become part of the rhythm of the encounter.

No prior knowledge of cinema is required.

Only a willingness to look carefully, remain curious and allow the encounter its own pace.

Every Cinema Sanctum is prepared in conversation with the host institution.

The programme therefore remains faithful to a common philosophy while responding to the culture, questions and aspirations of each group it receives.

No two Cinema Sanctums are identical.

Every Cinema Sanctum begins without predetermined conclusions.

What participants carry away cannot be prescribed. It emerges from the encounter itself.