Published Jun 06, 2024 • 2 minute read
It’s the limelight, under starlight.
The Windsor International Film Festival is hosting another edition of WIFF Under the Stars this weekend, with a lineup of free movies that people can enjoy while stretched out on the grass.
“You’re here on the beautiful lawn, you’re looking at the water, some free movies and popcorn — it’s positive, it’s enjoyable,” said Vincent Georgie, WIFF’s executive director and chief programming officer.
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“There are so many negative and heavy things in this world. What we love so much about WIFF Under the Stars is that it’s super-lighthearted. People come and enjoy some films, bring their friends, bring their dog.
“That’s what we like about it. It’s positive, and everybody in the community can come participate.”
Under the Stars is one of several events throughout the year marking WIFF’s 20th anniversary. There will also be a retrospective later this month at Capitol Theatre celebrating the best local films of the last 20 years.
But first, WIFF Under the Stars runs Friday to Sunday on the front lawn of Windsor’s downtown aquatic centre along Riverside Drive. While it’s called Under the Stars, the event will run day and night all weekend.
There will be free screenings of 21 movies including Disney classics such as 101 Dalmations and Little Mermaid, a ‘Barbenheimer’ double feature, a double feature of the last two Harry Potter movies, and the original Twister.
WIFF will also replay the popular Windsor-made films Walkerville’s Willistead Manor: The Home That Shaped a Community from director Nick Shields; and A Year in the Forest by director Mike Evans.
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“Bring a blanket, bring a lawn chair, bring your own snacks if you wish,” said Georgie. “There will be snacks for sale and all sorts of fun stuff, but people can do as they please.”
WIFF started its series of outdoor screenings, called Under the Stars, with a drive-in during the COVID-19 pandemic.
This weekend’s event will be the second version that encourages people to sit outside on a lawn chair or blanket and watch movies for free.
“It’s important for us as a tangible way to actually give back to the community,” said Georgie. “We’re firmly a downtown organization, something that’s built in Windsor.
“So how do we say thank-you? You do things that people can just come and enjoy and not have to pay for. It’s just a way of saying thank-you and also celebrating this big year, our 20th.”
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Georgie said the hope is that WIFF Under the Stars will also bring people downtown who don’t usually venture there.
“That’s the goal,” he said. “Bring people downtown, let the people come support downtown businesses, and just come enjoy something that’s also lighthearted.
“Because it’s free and it’s outdoors, it attracts a really wide crowd. You have kids and grandparents and what have you.
“We just want something lighthearted for people to enjoy and see the beauty of downtown.”
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