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Gulbenkian Open Air Film Festival

  • What's on: Film
  • Gulbenkian Open Air Film Festival

    • Bring a blanket to keep warm as the sun sets, dress for the outdoors, make yourself comfortable and settle in for an evening of film.

    Get ready for an epic summer of cinema under the stars! From 11 May – 8 June, as part of the Gulbenkian Open Air Film Festival, you can enjoy a different movie every Thursday night on the big screen outside the Gulbenkian Arts Centre!

    The festival will be showing a variety of different films, from 90’s romantic comedy, Pretty Woman; to biographical fantasy musical, Rocketman.

    Gulbenkian Open Air Cinema events are free to attend and non-ticketed, so you can just turn up on the night and enjoy the film!

    What’s on?

    Encanto (Sing Along) – Thursday 11 May, 21:00
    Licorice Pizza – Thursday 18 May, 21:00
    Pretty Woman – Thursday 25 May, 21:00
    Shaun of the Dead – Thursday 1 June, 21:00
    Rocketman – Thursday 8 June, 21:00

    Gulbenkian Open Air Film Festival Poster 2023.

    Will there be food and drink?

    A selection of food, drink, and snacks will be available for purchase during the event. Enjoy fries, wings, nachos, ice cream, popcorn, sweets, and drinks while you sit back and enjoy the film.

    There will also be an outdoor bar, serving a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.

    Can I bring something to sit on?

    There will be hay bales to sit on, but you are more than welcome to bring backrests, chairs, or picnic blankets to watch the film. We recommend you wrap up warm and wear lots of layers – even summer nights can get quite cold.

    What happens if it rains?

    As we all know, the Great British Summer can be unpredictable, so in the event of rain, film screenings will move indoors to the Gulbenkian Arts Centre cinema (except for Licorice Pizza on Thursday 18 May).

    What time does the film start?

    The film starts at 21.00, but you are more than welcome to arrive earlier, get comfortable, and order some snacks before the film begins. Food and bar open from 18.00.

    Are the screenings accessible?

    Access to the site is along level, hard paths.

    The cinema area is predominantly level grass, with limited hard standing pathways. In the event of bad weather, mud and puddles are likely.

    Please let us know if you require any additional support and our on-site staff members will be more than happy to help.

    Are there toilet facilities?

    Yes, toilets are available in the Gulbenkian Arts Centre.

    Will there be subtitles?

    Films will not be shown with subtitles. However, for hearing-impaired guests, we recommend the use of an app called ‘Subtitle Viewer’ where you can search for the film and play the subtitles as the film plays on the big screen.

    Outdoor screening 2
    Outdoor screening 2

    ART31

    ART31 takes its name from Article 31 of the UN Convention on the Rights of a Child, which states that ‘Children have the right to relax and play, and to join in a wide range of cultural, artistic and other recreational activities’.

    ART31 is a vision created with, by, and for young people in Kent, championing the belief that all children and young people have an entitlement to access high quality arts and culture, to empower them to achieve their creative potential, and to genuinely engage young people as equal partners in any decision making that affects them.

    The ART31 Youth Board is made up of young people from across Kent aged 13-25 who steer its governance, and influence policy and practice across the county and beyond, challenging the creative sector to examine existing ways of working and integrate young people into the core of their practice.

    Our projects with young people

    GENFest Young people posing in a cardboard Instagram frame

    ART31 Generate

    ART31 Generate is made up of young people from across Kent aged 13-25. They steer ART31's governance, influence arts policy and practice, and programme the annual GENFest Youth Takeover Festival.

    Youth Theatre

    Fantastic and fun sessions for ages 13-18 years, encouraging creativity and theatre-making skills.

    Live Streaming film equipment.

    SCREEN31

    Screen31 is a group for young people aged 15-25 interested in developing their film-making skills.
    TECH31

    TECH31

    TECH31 provides free practical training in technical theatre for ages 13 - 25
    Two actors laughing.

    National Theatre Connections – Gulbenkian Young Company

    NT Connections is the National Theatre’s nationwide youth theatre festival. Each year it offers a unique opportunity for youth theatres and school theatre groups to stage new plays written for young people by some of theatre’s most exciting playwrights, and to perform in leading theatres across the UK.
    Gulbenkian Uncovered image 03

    Gulbenkian Uncovered

    Are you enthusiastic, committed and creative? Gulbenkian Uncovered gives University of Kent students the chance to programme films and run events.

    Square Pegs 1

    Square Pegs Arts

    Square Pegs Arts are an award winning charity who provide drama groups, music projects and other accessible Arts opportunities for children and young adults who have learning disabilities and autism, and produce original, inspiring, challenging Theatre. Difference is celebrated and everyone is supported to shine in their own way.
    A selection of images arranged on a wall

    KRAN Fam

    KRAN Fam is a drama group in partnership with Kent Refugee Action Network for young refugees and asylum-seekers.

    Accessible Film Club

    Relaxed Screenings

    Monthly film screenings that are open to all, especially those with autism and learning disabilities.

    Young People - Screen31 ARTY31

    ARTY31

    Gulbenkian’s ARTY31 group is for young people aged 8-12 with a wide variety of arts interests.

    Film tickets

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