UP Cine Adarna shuts down for months-long renovation until 2027

Film screenings and events canceled as the iconic UP Diliman theater undergoes long-awaited upgrades.

The UP Film Institute’s Cine Adarna theater in UP Diliman will close for renovation from August 1, 2026 to January 31, 2027, canceling all scheduled film events until then.

The UP Film Institute announced the temporary closure on Aug. 3. “We appreciate your understanding and patience as we work toward improving Cine Adarna for the UP Film Institute community and its audiences,” the institute said in a Facebook post.

The 800-seater Cine Adarna regularly hosts free to low-cost movie screenings, particularly for local and international indie flicks. It is also the venue of various film festivals, often playing Filipino films that win at global award shows.

The venue opened in 1991 as the UP Film Center and was renamed to Cine Adarna in 2005.

Members of the community say the renovation is long-awaited and much-needed. The venue temporarily closed from January to May 2025 to repair the air conditioning system, with student and film events moved to the 50-seat Videotheque in the same building.

The UP Film Institute said further announcements will be made regarding the resumption of reservations and events. The institute has yet to respond to radar Entertainment’s request for comment.