The 12th Protaras Summer Film Festival brought open-air cinema back to the centre of the resort from July 8–26, 2026. Held at Lefkolla Events Square, also known as Protaras Central Square, the festival in Protaras transformed a familiar town-centre space into a large outdoor screening venue for 18 consecutive summer evenings. Its position close to hotels, restaurants and the main coastal area made it easy for holidaymakers to add a film night to a day spent beside the sea.
The programme combined major releases with family-friendly animation, adventure, drama and evening entertainment for adult audiences. On selected dates, earlier screenings began at 20:00, followed by later films at 22:00, while other nights featured a single 21:00 presentation. Admission to the standard screenings was free, allowing visitors to choose a film without reshaping their holiday budget. As darkness settled over the square, the glow of the large screen, rows of spectators and the sound of a film carrying through the warm air created the relaxed character of a traditional Mediterranean outdoor cinema.
More than 10,000 people are reported to attend the festival each year, bringing together local residents, families staying in nearby apartments, couples returning from dinner and tourists looking for evening activities away from the beach. The setting is informal rather than theatrical: summer clothes, children arriving for earlier films, groups meeting before the screening and visitors settling in as the sky turns from deep blue to black. The central location also gives the event an easy holiday rhythm, with cafés, ice-cream stops and restaurants available before or after the programme.
A film evening can fit naturally into a wider Protaras itinerary. Fig Tree Bay is known for its fine golden sand and clear water, while the coastal promenade extends for more than four kilometres between beaches and harbour areas. Visitors with a full day available can explore Konnos Bay or continue towards Cape Greco for sea views and walking routes before returning to town for the screening. Staying near the square is convenient, but travellers based in Pernera, Paralimni, Ayia Napa or more secluded coastal accommodation may appreciate having flexible transport after a late film.
Transport demand can increase around major festival dates, particularly before evening screenings and once audiences leave the square. For travellers combining the cinema programme with beaches, restaurants and trips around the Famagusta district, Protaras car rental options can provide more flexibility than relying on a single resort route. 7777 Rent a Car offers compact cars for short local journeys, SUVs for families or extra luggage, and premium models for more comfortable touring, supported by easy booking, transparent pricing and reliable service.