FAQ

WHAT IS CINEFILE?

Founded in 2018, Cinefile is the trilingual Swiss film platform for a cinephile audience in the digital age.  We operate a selective film streaming service and the most comprehensive cinema guide in Switzerland. All important new releases in cinemas and streaming are presented and commented on in our weekly newsletter.

The streaming selection ranges from the latest cinema hits to classics and is based on the motto "Only Good Movies": we deliberately limit the range to a maximum of 1000 entertainment and arthouse films and series and are constantly updating it. The selection team only chooses what it thinks is worth watching. All films are available in HD and original version with freely selectable subtitles, some also in German or French dubbed versions.

The complete range is available with the free Basic registration for individual rental (CHF 8.00 per film) or in the Light and Take 1/2/3/4 subscriptions. The Light subscription includes 2 films per half-year, the Take subscriptions 1-4 films per month or 6-24 per half-year with discounts of between 20 and 50 percent. The subscriptions are automatically renewed, but can be upgraded, downgraded or canceled at any time at the end of the respective subscription period.

The cinefile cinema guide offers a complete overview of the Swiss cinema program with all the important information and reservation links for all films, including arthouse cinemas, film museums and open airs.

All cinema and streaming films can be saved and rated in a personal watchlist.

CAN YOU STREAM CINEFILE ON THE BIG SCREEN?

All films can be streamed to the TV with the Chrome browser via Chomecast or with Safari via AirPlay or rented and watched directly on the TV set with our AndroidTV app. The app is based on the Android TV operating system (Sony, Philips, newer Swisscom boxes, Green TV box and others) and is available free of charge in the Google Play Store. The apps for Samsung and LG televisions have been developed and are currently being tested by the two companies. They should be released in the first half of 2025.

A separate app is available in the Google Play Store for cell phones with the Android operating system.

WHAT does the cinefile newsletter offer?

The free newsletter from cinefile provides free weekly information about our new releases and all important movie premieres with concise short reviews. With more than 14,500 subscribers, it is the largest weekly film newsletter in Switzerland.

HOW CAN I PAY ON CINEFILE?

You can pay for all individual rentals and subscriptions by credit card or TWINT.

HOW CAN YOU GIVE CINEFILE VOUCHERS AS A GIFT?

We offer online vouchers and high-quality gift cards for our Take 1-4 subscriptions.

CAN THE FILMS ALSO BE PURCHASED AND DOWNLOADED AND WATCHED OFFLINE?

All films can also be purchased and then streamed as often as you like. Downloads and offline viewing should be available from summer 2025.

CAN I INTERRUPT THE STREAMING?

Yes, you can interrupt the streaming of any movie as often as you like and also watch entire movies several times. However, there is a restriction that each film is available for a maximum of 7 days after rental and 48 hours from the first playback. When renting entire seasons of a series, the loan period is 30 days per season.

CAN YOU ALSO USE CINEFILE ABROAD?

Yes, as long as you have deposited the Swiss payment method TWINT with us. Exceptions to this rule are noted with the films in question .