Drive-in movie theaters are in the midst of a comeback as arguably one of the safest places to enjoy watching a film during the pandemic (besides your couch). And the College Hill Community Urban Redevelopment Corporation has jumped on the trend, turning the neighborhood’s historic Hollywood Theatre — originally a 1920s single-screen cinema — into a drive-in for the entire community.
Generally screening new and cult favorite films, this weekend, the cinema is letting area film festivals who have had to cancel their events take over: the Over-the-Rhine International Film Festival, Black Alphabet Cincy Film Festival, Cindependent Film Festival, Mayerson JCC Jewish & Israeli Film Festival, Black Cincinnati Cinema Collective and the 48 Hour Film Project have all joined forces to screen five day’s worth of films.
All showtimes start at 9:15 p.m. and tickets cost $20 per car. The Hollywood Theatre is located at the 1538 Cedar Ave., College Hill.
Here’s what’s screening when:
- On Thursday, July 23, the LGBTQ+ Black Alphabet Film Festival presents Dirty Laundry, “a modern-day prodigal son story with a twist” about Patrick, a magazine writer with a secret. Tickets here.
- On Friday, July 24, the Cindependent Film Festival screens a series of 10 of the fest’s “most entertaining Cincy-generated short films.” Get film titles and tickets here.
- On Saturday, July 25, the Over-the-Rhine International Film Festival screens The Peanut Butter Falcon in celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Americans With Disabilities Act. The law, enacted in 1990, prohibits discrimination of people with disabilities in employment, transportation, accommodation and government programs. The film, which stands at a 96% approval on Rotten Tomatoes, was released last year and stars Shia Labeouf and Zack Gottsagen. Gottsagen, who has Down syndrome, plays Zak, a young man in an assisted living facility who dreams of becoming a professional wrestler. The film follows his escape from the facility and the bond that unfurls as Zak finds a wayward Tyler (Labeouf) along the way. Tickets here.
Parking spots/tickets for the screening are limited, but — bonus — there will be a snack shack set up for concessions.
More info at facebook.com.
This article appears in The Summer Guide.
