For many cities in the U.S., the summer months are when outdoor movie series’ begin. But for New Orleans, which sees warmer weather much earlier in the season, the New Orleans Film Society (NOFS) and New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA) are taking advantage of the city’s southern location, launching the annual spring movie series this week.
On Friday, March 8, the two organizations will be presenting The Princess Bridge at the NOMA Sculpture Garden. The “ever-quotable crowd favorite,” as the Times-Picayune calls it, will be playing at 7 p.m., but events, including live music and art activities, will be starting at 5 p.m. for audience members and museum visitors.
Guests can bring blankets and chairs for seating, and food vendors will offer snacks before the film.
The NOFS and NOMA are not the only ones to bring a movie to an unusual setting. The Sundance Institute will be launching its new festival, “Next Weekend” with an outdoor movie shown at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery, which screens outdoor films throughout the year. Additionally, concerts and other shows are held at the same spot – further bringing the idea of unique setting to these events.
As the summer months quickly approach, many cities are using outdoor movies as a way to bring community members together and support local food vendors and artists. This idea actually earned one film festival organizer a prize in Indianapolis, in which president of the Indianapolis International Film Festive Craig Mince will be showing outdoor movies in different neighborhoods, after the success of his annual “pop-up cinema.”
For other cities like New Orleans that are enjoying the warm weather early, spring outdoor film festivals can help community members of all ages support the arts.