The story of Navettakino began in 2000 when 12-year-old Eemeli Mölsä found an old film projector at the Konnevesi Local Heritage Museum and decided to restore it. Together with his friend Matti Kakko, he dreamed of creating a real movie theatre – and against all odds, that dream came true.

The theatre was built in a disused cowshed owned by a neighbour, transformed into a functioning cinema entirely through volunteer work. The floor was relaid, a projection room built in the old milk room, and a tiered audience area created. The first screening, Kulkurin valssi (“The Vagabond’s Waltz”), took place on 18 January 2001 – marking a small but remarkable moment in Finnish cinema history.

Today, Navettakino seats 50 viewers in chairs salvaged from a former Finnkino theatre in Pori. Its sound and screen quality rival those of much larger cinemas – the speakers once belonged to the rock band Eppu Normaali, and the projection screen was purchased from Germany using funds from a regional arts award.

The cinema entered the digital age in 2011 with state-of-the-art projection and Dolby sound. Films now arrive online, often just weeks after their national premieres, and are selected based on local audiences’ wishes. No commercials, just pure cinema in a uniquely rustic setting.

Navettakino is more than a movie theatre – it’s a cultural landmark built by the community, celebrated both locally and nationally. Its story has been featured in numerous articles and documentaries, and it continues to stand as a shining example of how passion and creativity can bring light, laughter and life even to an old barn.

www.navettakino.fi