Win an Inflatable Outdoor Movie Screen

We are excited to announce the First Annual Open Air Cinema Photo Contest! We think outdoor cinema is a beautiful global tradition, and we want to see how you are using your Open Air Cinema equipment to promote your businesses and galvanize your communities.

The contest is simple. Send in the best photographs of your outdoor cinema events to be entered for a chance to win one of three Open Air Cinema screens! The prizes are as follows:

1st place = 16′ Pro Screen
2nd Place = 16′ Home Screen
3rd place = 12′ Home Screen

Further, a special one time discount of 10% off any product will be given to every customer who enters the contest. See the contest rules at the bottom of this post for a detailed description of how to enter.

Because we know many of you have just begun screening outdoor movies this year, we are accepting submissions through June 18th, 2010.

We look forward to seeing all of your photos, and the great things you are doing with outdoor cinema, because we love outdoor movies, and we appreciate all of our wonderful customers!

CONTEST RULES

Each contestant must submit the following in order to be officially entered into the First Annual Open Air Photo Contest:

• (1) At least one digital photograph of one of your outdoor cinema events using Open Air Cinema equipment. Photographs must be in jpg, tiff, png, or gif format.
• (2) A description of the event, including how long you have been holding the event, a little about your city, and who the key players are that make stuff happen! (don’t be modest – brag about yourself!)
• (3) Send the above to contest@openaircinema.us. We’ll send a confirmation email back to you, along with the full contest rules and instructions on how to redeem your 10% promotional discount!

*There is no limit to the amount of photos you may submit, although we discourage too many photos that are similar.

In a work of public art that will be visible in much of the city, Ben Wood and David Mark will again project films onto Coit Tower, the 210-foot landmark on Telegraph Hill. The event, “Indigenous Renewal: Alcatraz Occupation Remembrance + Ohlone Presence Celebrated,” is a commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the Indians of All Tribes occupation of Alcatraz Island.

Wednesday night’s program featured a special live broadcast with accompanying audio on radio. There were about 60 minutes’ worth of false starts and technical glitches on one or more of the three 1200-lumen projectors. But all were up and running a little after 7 P.M. On Thursday, you will have to appreciate the films without the benefit of sound.

Here is a list of the films that will be shown and the filmmakers:
-Alcatraz Is Not an Island (James Fortier)
-Rendezvouz with Alcatraz (Ben Wood & David Mark)
-Welcome to Ohlone Territory (Marlo Mckenzie and Neil Maclean)
-
Ohlone Families (Charlene Sul, Anthony Sul
)
-San Bruno Mountain (Keith Moreau and Sam Ellis Moreau)
-Native America segments by Lorenzo

The projection coincides with an event Thursday morning at which some of those who took part in the occupation will climb into boats to make the same trek to Alcatraz they made decades ago.

Mr. Wood said:

As the people wait at Pier 33, when they get in their boats to cross the bay, the projection of these films will be visible to them—video portraits of their Ohlone ancestors and the remains of shell mounds. This project is especially relevant on Thanksgiving, a day when Americans remember or think about their heritage and how we all came to be here. So the idea of the projection is to raise awareness about the local people specifically in the Bay Area.
Ana Bloom

“No where else does the architecture of an entire community become a canvas for digital art,” said Florida’s Governor Charlie Crist. “Digital Graffiti embodies the innovation and originality that Florida prides itself on supporting.”

Each year, the Digital Graffiti festival attracts thousands of curious spectators and has showcased innovative and mesmerizing digital works from artists from all over the world, including France, Thailand, Belgium, India, Italy, Australia, Mexico, Germany, Brazil, England, Austria, Ireland, Canada, United Kingdom, China and the United States.

“Digital Graffiti is a world-class event that allows civilians like myself to readily appreciate global artists at their creative and visual peak,” said author, fashion model and TV celebrity India Hicks, who hosted the 2009 Digital Graffiti festival.

In 2009, the $2,000 “Best of Show” honor was awarded to “Lustre” of Venice, California for their video art entitled, “Lure of Sirens.” In 2010, a $5,000 “Best of Show” cash award is being sponsored by Alys Beach.

Festival organizers are now calling for submissions from artists around the globe for inclusion in the 2010 competition. All entries should be submitted via email as soon as possible to events@alysbeach.com. The deadline for all submissions is March 15, 2010.

About Digital Graffiti

Digital Graffiti is the world’s first outdoor projection art festival, with artists using the latest technologies to project original video art onto the town’s iconic white walls and rooftops. “Alys Beach welcomes painters with open arms and white walls,” said USA Today. “But with projectors and laptops rather than spray cans.” Sometimes referred to as “Photon Bombing,” “Guerilla Projection” or “Urban Projection,” underground artists around the globe have been using the latest design, animation and projection technologies to cast dynamic images onto skyscrapers and other urban structures as a means of artistic expression. But Digital Graffiti at Alys Beach is the first outdoor festival specifically organized to celebrate and showcase these unique talents.

About Alys Beach

One of the most beautiful new resort towns in the world, Alys Beach is located on the Beaches of South Walton’s “Scenic Highway 30A,” along what The New York Times said “may be the best beach in the continental U.S.” Master-planned by Duany Plater-Zyberk & Company (DPZ), the town’s extraordinary architectural vision drew inspirations from both Bermuda and the courtyard homes of Antigua, Guatemala.

The town features restaurants, parks, pools, shops and other resort amenities-including a 21-acre nature preserve-and will eventually be home to 900 villas and family courtyard homes. Alys Beach is the first Fortified … for safer living community in the world, as designated by the Institute for Business & Home Safety, and all homes are built to Florida’s Green Home Designation Standard. Alys Beach is developed by EBSCO Industries, a Forbes “Top 200″ privately held company founded in 1943.

Flickerfest is an annual event held at Sydney’s first beachside cinema, the Bondi Pavilion.

Now in its 19th year, the film festival showcases the best home-grown talent alongside their international counterparts with a series of short films and documentaries depicting stories from around the world.

Screenings take place from January 8th to 17th and include a mixture of competition entries and those just for fun.

Daytime showings take place in an indoor cinema, but every evening, the 9pm showcase will be featured in the outdoor amphitheatre.

Single session tickets start from AU$13 (£7.30), however, any keen film buffs may want to purchase a season pass for AU$130 if they are planning to stay in accommodation in Sydney for the duration of the festival.

Following its opening run in the New South Wales city, the films will go on show at a further 23 locations around the country.

Competition categories include the Audience Choice Short Film, the Best Australian Short Film and the Most Resourceful Film, with prizes ranging from technical equipment to cash.

The winner of last year’s Best Short Film award was director Mads Matthiesen, whose piece, entitled Dennis, was produced by Jonas Bagger of Denmark.

Eumundi’s first outdoor cinema night, Flicks in the Sticks, will be launched at the Eumundi Showgrounds tonight with a showing of the box-office hit, The Polar Express.

The event is the brainchild of locals Steve Beardsley and Trent Harvison, who wanted to create an event that would embrace the outdoor lifestyle and bring families and the community together.

“We hope Flicks in the Sticks will become a monthly event that unites the community socially and presents great fundraising opportunities for local groups,” Mr Beardsley said.

“The showground is such a wonderful facility, but it’s under-utilised. This is a great chance to use it and bring the community together.”

Mr Beardsley and his family moved to Eumundi from the United Kingdom two years ago, where holding an outdoor cinema was “nigh impossible”.

He said the region’s great weather had been an inspiration in setting up the event.

“It’s a family thing,” Mr Beardsley said.

“We want people to head out with a picnic rug and an esky and have a great time.

“We’re so fortunate to live in such a beautiful place and Flicks in the Sticks is about embracing that.”

The Polar Express will screen at 7pm, with gates opening at 6pm.

Cost is $5. There will be an on-site candy bar as well as a sausage sizzle, which will raise funds for the Eumundi State School.

Anne-Louise Brown

Ford Fiesta Moonlight Cinema

When December 3 to March 14.

Where Belvedere Amphitheatre, Centennial Park.

How much From $15 for an adult.

Highlights Cult movies such as The Rocky Horror Picture Show and a new print of Saturday Night Fever will show. There will be doggie nights and bean beds are for hire.

See moonlight.com.au

St George OpenAir

When January 12 to February 20.

Where Mrs Macquaries Point.

How much From $25. Tickets on sale from December 17.

Highlights Sydney premieres of movies such as The Wolfman and Clint Eastwood’s new filmInvictus, as well as the view.

See stgeorgeopenair.com.au

Bondi Openair

When January 20 to March 12.

Where Bondi Pavilion.

How much $17 for adults (there’s also $12.90 earlybird tickets). Tickets on sale now.

Highlights The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus on opening night, surf flicks such as Big Wednesday and the line-up of musicians playing before each film.

See bondiopenair.com.au

ME Bank Starlight Cinema

When January 13 to

March 20.

Where North Sydney Oval.

How much From $18 for an adult. Tickets on sale now.

Highlights The Chillout Zone, where you can relax on a bean bed with a glass of wine or a beer on arrival, the Star Class VIP area with deck chairs and a cheese or antipasto box with waiter service on the dining terrace beforehand and the selection of family friendly films.

See starlightcinema.com.au

Movies in the Overflow

When January 2 to 7.

Where Sydney Olympic Park, Homebush.

How much Free.

Highlights Before each screening there will be a showing of an entry in the Short Soup International Short Film Festival.

See sydneyolympicpark .com.au

Tropfest

When February 21.

Where The Domain.

How much Free.

Highlights It is promoted as the world’s largest short-film festival.

The festival which is a synthesis of stage, theatre and cinema is held preceding ‘Pousa Purnima’. To make the festival livelier, a State-level handloom exhibition-cum-sale will be organised jointly by Sambalpuri Bastralaya and Development Commissioner for Handloom, Ministry of Textile, besides a Pallishree Mela organised by ORMAS. This apart there will be the traditional ‘Meena Bazaar’ which will have joyrides and a variety of utility items on sale.

At least 50 cultural troupes, including those from Eastern Zonal Cultural Council, Kolkata and Odissi Research Centre, Bhubaneswar, are slated to perform during the festival.

The “NECU Movies in the Park 2010” will be held in Leggo Park (behind the Council) in January next year.

The feature film will commence at around 8.00pm on Friday, 22 and Saturday 23 January.

There will also be movies in Tingha with the final date and venue yet to be confirmed.

Bring the family, bring along some friends and make it a great community evening.

Further information regarding the movies and Australia Day events can be obtained from Geoff Dowden at Council on 6770 7110 or email gdowden@guyra.nsw.gov.au

Australia Day

Guyra’s Ambassador for Australia Day 2010 will be Mr. Scott Brockenshire, who is a paralympic medal winning swimmer.

The awards dinner will be held at the Bowling Club on Monday, January 25, 2010 and tickets are on sale at the Council until Thursday, January 21.

Cost is $25 for adults and $15 for children aged under 12.

On Australia Day, the flag raising will be held in Rotary Park at 12.00noon.

The Australia Day activities at Tingha will include the awards presentations at the breakfast to be held at the Tingha Sport & Recreation Club at 8.00am.

Ok, there’s a nip in the air, soup on the stove, I switched the summer hats out for winter hats and that can only mean one thing – It’s almost time for Halloween!

I adore the ‘ween, always have. And now that I live in lovely LA, Halloween means outdoor activities still! Growing up in Denver we always had to wear parkas over our gypsy costumes, but here we don’t have that problem. In fact, October and November are still perfect times for those last outdoor Movie Nights of the year.

If you are fundraising for your organization, may I suggest branding some blankets and selling them at the event, have a Cider or Hot Cocoa vendor on site and have a blast! Really, nothing encourages cuddling together more than a spooky movie too, am I right? There are kid-friendly levels of spooky of course, like “Casper”, “Monsters, Inc.”, “Monsters vs. Aliens” or “Harry Potter”. There are big-kid spooky movies like “Beetlejuice”, “Edward Scissorhands” and “The Nightmare Before Christmas”. (A note about that movie, there is some debate among my friends as to whether or not that is a Halloween or Christmas movie. Your thoughts?) Then there are the really spooky movies, totally inappropriate for children or the faint at heart.

I’ve already done my Zombie list so here are my Top Ten Open Air Cinema Horror Flicks Without Zombies. Boo people!

• Halloween (the first one please)
• Silence of the Lambs
• Poltergeist
• Candyman
• Nightmare on Elm Street
• The Shining (the first one please)
• Psycho
• The Exorcist
• Carrie
• Texas Chainsaw Massacre (the first one please)
• And, as a special Halloween Bonus, the BEST “SCARY” MOVIE FOR OUTDOOR EVENTS… “The Rocky Horror Picture Show”!

Enjoy, and call us today for some awesome Fall Specials!