Videobet, the First Independent Cinema in Ethiopia, Opens in Addis Ababa

Videobet Cinema, a new arthouse cinema dedicated to celebrating and advancing film culture in Ethiopia, opened its doors to the public on Friday 6 February 2026, marking a major milestone for the country’s growing film community.

Founded by filmmaker Beza Hailu Lemma and film critic Bandamlak Yimenu, Videobet began as a bi-monthly curated cinema program at a local multiplex a year ago in February 2025. Since its inception, the initiative has focused on showcasing a diverse selection of Ethiopian and international independent films, while creating a space for meaningful cinematic engagement and dialogue.

One year later, Videobet Cinema has expanded into a permanent venue inside the Red Terror Martyrs’ Memorial Museum building, located in the heart of Addis Ababa. The new space will serve as a dedicated home for repertory screenings, discussions, and community gatherings centered on film.

The opening weekend featured a curated program of 13 contemporary Ethiopian short films, open to the public, alongside panel discussions with the filmmakers.

Over the past year, Videobet has curated a range of notable screenings, including the Ethiopian debut of co-founder Lemma’s critically acclaimed short Alazar (2024), an official selection at the Cannes Film Festival and the first ever Videobet screening, homecomings of Faya Dayi (2021) and Finding Sally (2020), presented with directors Jessica Beshir and Tamara Mariam Dawit respectively, many years after the films’ world premieres at international festivals. Additional programming has included Losing Ground, Chameleon Street, Paris Texas, Ousmane Sembène’s Mandabi, and a two-month retrospective dedicated to the work of Abbas Kiarostami.

With the launch of its new venue, Videobet Cinema aims to continue its strong programming, further establishing itself as a vital platform for film appreciation, education, and community building in Ethiopia.

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