Abandoned Kindergarten Becomes Buzzing Art House

In Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan, former Netflix executive Matt Kelson has revitalized an abandoned kindergarten into CineYama, a distinctive independent cinema. Kelson, who spent over a decade at Netflix managing film screenings across Asia-Pacific, decided to pursue his passion for film exhibition after being laid off.

He discovered the former Sawamatsu Kindergarten in Uenohara City, a space abandoned for ten years. After pitching his vision to the local government and gaining unanimous approval from the residents' council, renovations began.

CineYama officially opened its doors in the spring as a 43-seat venue, featuring digital, 35mm, and 16mm projection capabilities. The cinema has already welcomed over 3,000 patrons, exceeding Kelson's initial expectations for its first six months.

The programming is described as experimental, with a focus on international titles that are less commonly shown in other Japanese cinemas. Kelson aims to offer a global perspective while also screening independent Japanese films.

Surprising success has come from children's films and rare arthouse titles, like a recent six-film Andrei Tarkovsky series that drew 160 attendees. Kelson plans to expand CineYama's influence by launching a distribution outfit in the new year, starting with Les Blank's documentary 'Burden of Dreams'.