Main cinemas and cultural spaces
Red Carpet Cinema
The Red Carpet Cinema is the main commercial cinema in Monopoli. It is a modern cinema that shows first-run films in continuous theatrical programming. Located on Via Baione, it offers evening programming with several daily screenings of the latest titles in Italian and international cinema. Typical screening times range from the afternoon until late evening, usually from about 17:00 to 23:45 on weekdays and holidays, with several shifts throughout the day to meet the demand of local audiences and film visitors.
Radar Cinema-Theatre
The Radar Cinema-Theatre is a multidisciplinary space of cultural significance for the city. Although primarily a theatre and auditorium, the Radar also hosts film screenings, festivals, cultural events and live performances. The hall has a capacity of around 450 seats and is managed by the Theatres of Bari in collaboration with the Municipality of Monopoli. ( https://www.teatridibari.it/teatro-radar/)
Timetables and activities
Red Carpet Cinema
Typical screening times:
Film sessions take place mainly from late afternoon to evening, with films being shown on several screens starting in the afternoon and consecutive evening screenings until around 23:45 during the week and at weekends. (https://www.redcarpetcinema.it/)
Programming:
The cinema presents national and international titles being released in theatres (comedies, dramas, action films, arthouse films), with multiple timetables to allow audiences to choose their preferred time slot.
Radar Cinema-Theatre
Film and cultural programming:
In addition to traditional film screenings, the Radar hosts festivals, special events, previews and festivals, as well as scheduled theatre and music performances. Scheduled management also makes it possible to organise screenings for schools, associations and cultural activities.
History of cinema in Monopoli
Radar Cinema-Theatre: a historical heritage
The Radar Cinema-Theatre represents the historical core of film projection in Monopoli. Built between 1938 and 1939 in the architectural style of the time, the complex was originally conceived as a mixed building with a theatre-cinema and an adjoining hotel, intended to accommodate both the local community and travellers.
In the following decades, the theatre was one of the main cultural entertainment venues for the city, showing films and hosting live performances. However, with the spread of television and changing cultural consumption habits, the Radar's film activity came to a halt in the 1980s, with its closure due to declining audiences.
In 1987, the Municipality of Monopoli purchased the building, recognising its historical and social importance. After a long process of studies, designs and planning, the structure was restored and reopened to the public in March 2018, now operating as a multifunctional cultural venue that includes film screenings, theatrical events and art exhibitions.
Film events and reviews
Sudestival
Monopoli is also known for Sudestival, a festival dedicated to quality Italian cinema that is held every winter and characterises the city's cultural calendar. The event has become a fixture in the Apulian film scene.
Origin and significance: Founded by the Associazione Culturale Sguardi and directed by Michele Suma, Sudestival celebrates Italian cinema with screenings of first works, documentaries, short films, retrospectives and meetings with authors.
Recent editions: The 26th edition (January-March 2026) featured over 60 screenings, numerous guests and thematic sections, consolidating the event as one of the leading winter film festivals in Italy.
Related activities: In addition to theatrical screenings, the festival organises masterclasses, meetings with film stars and initiatives dedicated to schools and the younger generation, strengthening the link between cinema and local audiences.
Summer film events such as open-air screenings in the Roof Garden of the Radar Theatre and the “Piazza Sudestival” further expanded the cultural and film offerings in the city.
Conclusions
The cinema scene in Monopoli combines contemporary commercial theatres such as the Red Carpet Cinema with historical structures of great value such as the Cinema-Theatre Radar, enriched by film festivals of national importance such as Sudestival. This combination yields an articulated cultural offer that ranges from first release films to art-house screenings, and festivals and meetings that promote cinema as a cultural experience open to the community.