Anonima Impresa Sociale revives Umbrian cinemas as cultural hubs

Since 2014, the social cooperative Anonima Impresa Sociale, founded by Giacomo Caldarelli, Andrea Frenguelli, Ivan Frenguelli, and Andrea Mincigrucci (the latter since left), has reopened three historic cinemas in Umbria: the PostModernissimo in Perugia (reopened December 16, 2014 after 15 years of closure), the Metropolis in Umbertide (revived in 2017), and the Astra Cinema-Teatro in San Giustino (joined in autumn 2024). The group's model, inspired by European precedents in Germany and France, emphasizes community activation. In 2020, as lead of an ATS with the Comune di Umbertide and other third-sector entities, it won a tender to regenerate the Piattaforma public building, which opened in November 2024 as a cultural hub with a bar, live event space, and 60-seat cinema called Mini Metropolis. Since 2017, it has also managed the Museo di Arte Ceramica Rometti in Umbertide. Currently, 70% of its audience is aged around 40. The cooperative fosters exchange through presentations, debates, and listening to spectators.