Last Friday, attendees at Havana's Charles Chaplin cinema expecting to see a film from the 27th French Film Festival were met with a theater lacking air conditioning, nearly empty seats, and a screening that started an hour late due to a projector malfunction, according to a report by Darío Hernández published by 14ymedio.
The affected screening was "Playing with Fire" (2026) by directors Delphine and Muriel Coulin, scheduled for 2:00 PM on Friday, October 24th.
By 2:22 PM, the movie had yet to start. A theater employee informed those present that there was an issue with the projector and that the staff was attempting to resolve it.
Half an hour later, the audience's patience wore thin, leading several to leave before the screening commenced.
When the film finally began, nearly an hour past the scheduled time, the remaining audience had dwindled to about thirty people. The lack of air conditioning made the wait even more uncomfortable.
The spectator who shared her experience with the media eventually left the cinema without seeing any of the program, frustrated by the wasted time and the challenge of securing transportation home.
On that same day, the main venue for Cuba's Cinemateca, the 23 and 12 cinema, was also not an option. As confirmed by 14ymedio, its projector was out of order, rendering it unavailable for the festival's schedule. The report did not specify how long the issue had persisted or if it was subsequently resolved.
The incident at Chaplin is not an isolated event. Film festivals in Havana have long struggled with outdated equipment, power outages, and transportation issues. In December 2024, the International Festival of New Latin American Cinema faced cancellations due to power cuts, and in December 2025, the organizers had to bring in generators and mobile screens to keep the screenings going.
The decline of Cuba's cinematic infrastructure is a systemic issue: around 80% of the approximately 398 cinemas that once existed in the country have closed over the past decades. Additionally, in October 2026, reports surfaced about the dismantling of the historic Capitolio cinema in Havana.
The stark contrast with the festival's official opening is striking. On Thursday, October 22nd, the Yara cinema hosted the launch of the 27th edition, attended by French Ambassador Raphaël Trannoy, ICAIC President Alexis Triana, and Cinemateca Director Luciano Castillo, in a ceremony that gathered diplomats and cultural officials for a screening of Christophe Barratier's "The Children of the Resistance."
Following the weekend screenings at Chaplin and Yara, the festival will continue solely at Yara starting Monday, October 27th, and will run through November 4th, featuring a total of 17 films.
As noted in the 14ymedio report, "the audience's enthusiasm fades when faced with basic challenges to simply watch a movie."
Challenges Facing Film Festivals in Havana
What caused the delay at the Charles Chaplin cinema?
The delay was due to a malfunctioning projector, which postponed the start of the screening by an hour.
How has the infrastructure of Cuban cinemas declined over the years?
Approximately 80% of the 398 cinemas that once operated in Cuba have closed in recent decades, and existing venues face issues like outdated equipment and power outages.
What other challenges did the French Film Festival in Havana face?
Besides the projector issue, the festival has encountered problems with air conditioning, which made the waiting experience uncomfortable for attendees.
What was the response of the audience to the delay?
Many attendees chose to leave before the film started due to the long delay and uncomfortable conditions.