Cinema under the stars in Adlershof

Brain City Berlin

Under the motto "Culture meets Science at Work", WISTA Management GmbH is inviting visitors to the Adlershofer Leinwandsommer in August and September 2026: a new cultural format at the media hub of Adlershof in Brain City Berlin, bringing together science, film and community.

Open-air cinemas are hugely popular in Berlin, and the Adlershof science and technology park has been part of this trend since 2025. Together with the Hörsaalkino Adlershof at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, WISTA Management GmbH has created a format that brings the campus to life during the semester break and makes science accessible to everyone.

Henrik Nagel is a physics student who runs the Hörsaalkino together with fellow students. During term time, there is an open film club every Thursday in the Gerthsen lecture hall. He was delighted when the invitation arrived: "We had already been thinking about an open-air cinema during the semester break. In WISTA, we found the ideal partner to make it happen, especially for events that require more technical effort." Alongside a good sound system, he says, the right projector is key: one that delivers a sharp image even when the light conditions are less than perfect.

Culture meets Science at Work

The format made its debut in 2025 on the lawn at WISTA headquarters, combining science and entertainment, as it will again this year. Research institutions contribute a pre-show programme for each film, with hands-on experiments or short slams that complement the evening's theme. Around 200 guests came to the first Adlershofer Leinwandsommer in 2025 to enjoy film, science and good company.

The 2026 programme

Three film evenings are planned for 2026, all screened in the original English with German subtitles. The pre-show programme starts at 7pm, and entry and popcorn are free. Theodore Melfi's "Hidden Figures" opens the series on 25 August. Set in the 1960s, the film tells the long-untold story of three Black American mathematicians behind NASA's Mercury and Apollo programmes. "A wonderful opportunity to make women in STEM more visible," says Reichardt. The pre-show is provided by Känguru der Mathematik: before the film begins, guests can tackle tricky maths puzzles and win small prizes for correct answers. In addition, a female mathematician will be hosting a ‘Meet & Greet’ session to discuss the topic of women in science.

On 2 September, Denis Villeneuve's "Arrival" takes centre stage, promising something for every science fiction fan, as Nagel puts it: "Arrival is set in the near future, when aliens visit Earth and humanity is faced with an enormous communication challenge." An expert from the German Aerospace Center's Institute of Planetary Research will give an insight into extrasolar planets and address the question of whether life exists beyond Earth.

The grand finale on 8 September is "The Greatest Showman", a musical film based on a true story that invites reflection on the curiosity cabinets and circus world of the era, while its soundtrack will have audiences singing and dancing along. One detail can already be revealed: before the screen lights up, the Uni Big Band Adlershof will take to the stage with live music from the film and songs from their own repertoire.

The organisers are expecting up to 300 guests at each screening. Anyone wanting a guaranteed seat should bring their own blanket or folding chair. Soft drinks and water will be provided by the MoPs student café: "Just as with the Hörsaalkino, we are delighted to support the student initiative," says Nagel. The team has also planned for possible weather-related plot twists: "If the Berlin summer lets us down, there is a covered terrace or indoor option." See you at the smartest cinema in Brain City Berlin!

Film nights overview

25 August: Hidden Figures

2 September: Arrival

8 September: The Greatest Showman

Entry is free / by donation. All proceeds go to the Hörsaalkino Adlershof.

A small selection of non-alcoholic drinks will be available, along with free popcorn while stocks last. You are welcome to bring your own non-alcoholic drinks and snacks.

Food is taken care of: the Essential by Dorint Berlin will be on site with a bratwurst stand.

Guests should bring their own folding chairs and blankets as there are no chairs provided. A limited number of blankets will be available on site.

Wet weather option: if it drizzles or gets windy, the open-air cinema moves to the covered terrace at WISTA.