Hire an outdoor cinema, they said. It’ll be fun, they said…
But with so many factors to consider, from which film to screen to the best locations to screen it at, it can be easier said than done to organise such an event.
If you’ve got questions on how to stage the best event for your audience, welcome to the right place.
Here at Urban Outdoor Cinema our experts have put together this step by step guide just for you.
Why humans love outdoor events
Firstly, let’s take a look at why outdoor events have such an enduring appeal. Most of us enjoy being out in nature, but did you know our brains respond differently depending on whether we are inside or outside?
Neuroscientists have found that the frontal lobe, the part of our brain which is hyper engaged in modern life, deactivates a little when we are outside.
And Alpha waves grow stronger, meaning we are calmer, and more alert. One of the reasons for that is we aren’t distracted by our phones and the modern world around us.
This fascinating research backs up what we’ve always known – humans are wired to be outside. Outdoor events such as festivals, shows and markets have always been popular in society, it’s only now the science is explaining why that is.
The oldest open air cinema in operation dates all the way back to 1916. At the Sun Picture Theatre, Australia, film-goers still sit on deckchair benches today. The theatre even holds a Guinness World Record.
The best time to hire an outdoor cinema
Summer is the very best time to hire an outdoor cinema. We see a lot of bookings coming in for May, June then on to August and September in particular.
That’s because of the temperature and the light, of course. The timing of the sunset is one of the critical factors to consider when planning an outdoor cinema event.
Event organisers always favour the summer to host outdoor cinema screenings because the weather is (generally) much milder.
However we also need to wait for natural light to leave the sky as the sun disappears below the horizon before screening to ensure the best quality experience for the audience.
Expert technicians often advise waiting until a few minutes after the sun has gone to bed to set the ball rolling and hit play.
The biggest films for summer 2023
This year is going to be a brilliant one for film, with many hotly anticipated new releases.
Here we cherry pick just a few of the best, and reveal our top pick for outdoor cinema events in summer 2023.
The Little Mermaid is due to swim into cinemas in May 2023. This retelling of the Disney classic is expected to make a splash. That’s because it’s a live-action remake and down to the casting.
Halle Bailey plays Ariel and Melissa McCarthy will be Ursula. It’s also one of the most loved Disney films of all time and is well overdue for a modern remake.
Sticking with the ocean theme, Titanic is sailing back on to the big screen. Can you believe it’s been 25 years since this heart-breaking film made it to the cinema? It is being re-released for Valentine’s Day, so fans can swoon over Jack and Rose’s romance on the most loved-up day of the year.
Wonka will tell the story of the world’s favourite chocolate inventor, way before the chocolate factory. This prequel will star Timothée Chalamet and Matt Lucas to examine the origins of Willy Wonka, plus how he met the Oompa Loompas. Wonka is due for release in December 2023.
Horror fans will love Cocaine Bear. Based on a true story, it tracks a bear who wreaks havoc on a small town in Georgia after eating a bag of cocaine. Ray Liotta stars and the release date is in February 2023.
Our top pick for outdoor cinema events in 2023 is actually from last year. Top Gun: Maverick brought the aviation superhit bang up to a date with a slick new story and a seemingly no older Tom Cruise.
It’s got all the ingredients for a classic hit; high-octane drama, a top cast, conflict and a dash of romance. We predict your audiences will love watching this in the great outdoors.
Locations for outdoor cinema events
The world is your oyster when it comes to picking a location for an outdoor cinema event. Some of the most popular settings include festivals, parks and bang in the middle of city centres.
We’ve also facilitated outdoor cinemas overlooking beaches and even in people’s gardens for a more personal, exclusive experience.
Around the globe, organisers have hosted screenings deep under the soil in atmospheric caves, surrounded by skyscrapers and of course under the stars. The sky is really the limit – and you can bet we have just the expertise to help, wherever you choose.
Bring in the outdoor cinema company experts
No matter what kind of outdoor cinema event you want to host, we can help.
Our experts have staged hundreds of outdoor cinema and drive-in cinema screenings right around the world.
We use the very best technology on the market to make sure every event runs without a hitch.
Get in touch with the team to see how we can make your event a runaway success.
