Kino Kotva, Movie theater in České Budějovice, Czech Republic

Kino Kotva is a cinema in Ceske Budejovice with modern screening rooms and digital projection technology. The facility offers seating for various audience sizes and operates an outdoor summer cinema space as well.

The building was completed in 1928 for the Sokol II gymnastics association, designed by architect Karel Chochola and built by the Kubíček firm; it opened on 22 April 1929 with 589 (or 528) seats. During the Second World War it was renamed Bio Viktoria and screened German films, with an orchestra accompanying the silent ones. In September 1948 it became kino Svět, later kino Pohraniční stráže, and finally returned to the name Kotva.

Kino Kotva is a member of Europa Cinemas and co-organises festivals including Jeden svět, the French Film Festival, SCANDI and Tady Vary. It runs its own clubs: a Bejby club for parents with small children, a student film club presented by students from České Budějovice schools, a senior club open to anyone, and a dramaturg-led film club. The café and foyer host exhibitions and concerts.

Kino Kotva stands on Lidická třída in České Budějovice, with the box office moved from the entrance into the foyer where staff sit. The hall holds 215 seats, and a café with a garden serves guests; in summer the garden has table service. Opening hours can change during the summer holidays.

The cinema's sound is computed on site by a dedicated audio processor feeding a Dolby Atmos system, with speakers mounted in the ceiling as well as around the hall. The building also has round nautical portholes set into its facade, an avant-garde detail from Karel Chochola's 1928 design.