Outdoor Movie Event in Porta, Germany
Construction of a typical open-air cinema with inflatable screen, sound technology, projection trailer.
Moviescreens Rental
Today’s Moviescreens Rental GmbH is the oldest of the three Moviescreens companies (Moviescreens Engineering GmbH and Moviescreens Technologies GmbH). The company was founded in 1996 by Alexander Thye, among others, with the aim of revolutionising outdoor cinemas, especially through the use of their own inflatable screens. Moviescreens has been developing and distributing this mobile screen solution for over 20 years.
In the summer of 2010, Moviescreens was the first company in Germany to present 3D cinema films on a large 24 m wide screen in the Borussia Dortmund stadium. The launch of the 3D cinema was also successful outside the cinema auditorium – the audience was thrilled!
Another highlight in 2010 was the outdoor cinema “CINEMA 2010” on the grandstand at the opening ceremony of RUHR 2010 at the “Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex” UNESCO World Heritage Site in Essen. Moviescreens was the organiser of the cinema against this unique backdrop. We have long-standing partnerships with many customers and one of the largest selections of inflatable mobile screens in Europe. We have projection screens of various types and sizes as well as powerful projectors and sound systems. We would be happy to talk to directly on site to see how we can bring your ideas to life…
But we are not only the right partner for your when it comes to technical matters – we are also happy to provide you with our specific industry knowledge, e.g. in film programme planning or in acquiring customers and sponsors for your event. We have been active in the cinema industry for over twenty years now. Moviescreens Rental GmbH is now part of the marja group GmbH which includes three cinema centres with a total of twelve screens.
In 2015, beja media GmbH in Damme also started up as a communication agency and reliable partner for marketing and sponsorship ideas. The group is completed by a number of companies which offer catering and event planning services.
Our sister company airscreen Corporation in the USA has been selling cinema technology on the American continent since 2017.
As a service provider, we don’t just provide you with the necessary technology; we also work with you to develop tailor-made 360-degree concepts that will turn your event into a commercial success!
Photo: Company logo from 1996
25 Years of Moviescreens
In January 1996, Alexander and Christoph Thye, together with Günter Ganzevoort founded the company Movie Screens & Equipment GmbH, based in Damme, Lower Saxony.
One year earlier, Alexander Thye and his father Albert Thye, who at the time ran the Dersa Kino Damme together, had the idea of expanding their cinema offering to include open-air screenings and of using inflatable screens developed by their business partner Günter Ganzevoort. These were made out of a frame of air-filled cushions supporting a projection screen that could quickly and easily be erected and dismantled outside. They purchased the second-ever inflatable screen built by Günter Ganzevoort and organised an open-air cinema at the airport in Damme. It was a resounding success.
It was immediately clear to Alexander Thye that this was a concept that could be developed beyond Damme and Germany. As the expression “Luftbildschirm” was too unwieldy and would not be understood internationally, he simply changed it to “Airscreen”. With this change Alexander Thye managed to win over his brother Christoph. Together they persuaded Günter Ganzevoort to form a company with them to sell and rent out the products he developed – Movie Screens & Equipment GmbH. The film magazine “Filmecho” reported on this in its 6/1996 edition. Later Christoph Thye and Günter Ganzevoort left the company.
In 2003, Movie Screens & Equipment GmbH started successfully exporting internationally, including to the USA and Mexico. Since then the concept of the inflatable screen – christened the “Airscreen” by Alexander Thye in 1995 – has established itself worldwide. Then as now, a number of different manufacturers offer products using this concept, including those made by Alexander Thye’s cousin, Christian Kremer, whom Thye brought into the sector and with whom he founded The Airscreen Company GmbH & Co. KG. There then followed a few years together in Münster before they went their separate ways. Today, each of the cousins manufactures and markets their own products. Alexander Thye through, among others, his now renamed company Moviescreens Rental GmbH, and the affiliated Moviescreens Technologies GmbH, founded in 2015. Since 2015, the Moviescreens group of companies has been designing and manufacturing its own inflatable screens and accessories for the most part in Germany and Europe.
In January 2021 Moviescreens Rental GmbH celebrates its 25th anniversary and at the same time, on account of the pandemic, a very high demand for open-air and drive-in cinemas. There are few companies that have such a long history, and such a wealth of experience and expertise in this field.
The press release can be downloaded here.
Interested? Send us a message!