A new cultural project in Cuenca is bringing cinema back to life inside one of the city’s historic venues, reimagining how films are experienced in the heart of the Historic Center.
Sala Vuelo, located on the fourth floor of the former Teatro Cuenca building, has begun hosting curated film screenings more than two decades after the original theater closed in 2004. The space, now part of the ParkCuenca complex, preserves elements of the old cinema while introducing a more interactive, community-focused format.
The initiative is led by Pablo Rodas, founder of the “AfterHours Cinephile Society,” a project that aims to restore the shared, social experience of watching films. Rather than traditional movie showings, each event includes a curated selection, a short introduction, and a post-screening discussion.
The concept reflects a shift away from passive viewing toward a more engaged audience experience. Organizers focus on films with strong cinematic elements—whether mainstream or niche—highlighting storytelling, direction, sound, and performance.
The venue itself holds around 80 people and retains original seating from the historic theater, adding a sense of continuity for longtime residents who remember the space in its earlier years. Cuenca once had a vibrant cinema culture, with multiple theaters operating simultaneously across the city. That presence gradually disappeared as older venues closed and entertainment shifted to more standardized formats.
Since opening in April, Sala Vuelo has drawn strong interest. Early screenings have included titles such as Body Double, The Shining, and Moonage Daydream, a documentary on David Bowie. Attendance has exceeded expectations, prompting organizers to consider expanding from biweekly to weekly screenings, now planned for Thursdays.
Visitors describe the experience as more immersive than a typical cinema visit, with the setting, atmosphere, and discussions adding depth beyond the film itself.
Beyond screenings, the space is also being developed as a broader cultural hub. Plans include vinyl listening sessions and themed series tied to topics such as architecture, fashion, and sports.
Access to events is coordinated through social media and messaging groups, reflecting the project’s community-driven approach.
For Cuenca, Sala Vuelo represents more than a new venue—it marks a return to a more collective form of cinema, reconnecting the city with a piece of its cultural past while adapting it for a new generation.