Cinema, that is.
With the future of Tropfest—the largest short film festival in the world—saved from the brink, we present a multitude of ways to get out of the sticky popcorn overly-airconditioned cinemas and into the frangipani scented summer night.
Sydney
St George Open Air Cinema
8 Jan – 19 Feb
With a mammoth three storey high screen and 2,000 seat capacity this is the big daddy of outdoor cinemas. Located at Maquarie point, the screen has to contend with its picturesque rivals… the Opera House and Harbour Bridge which it overlooks.
Menu: full bar and luxe catering
Features: premieres such as the Australia film, Looking for Grace and the preview of the highly acclaimed Cate Blanchett vehicle, Carol.
L’Officiel favourite: Youth, by Oscar winning director Paolo Sorrentino (31st January).
Melbourne
Rooftop cinema
Now showing
Located on top of Curtin House (home to The Toff and Cookie) and up above the hustle and bustle of Swanston Street you can watch art house, classic and recent releases in ease. Seated in a deck chair with Astro turf beneath your feet and a cocktail in hand.
Menu: Burgers and fries from The Burger Shac, and quite importantly for some, a fully licensed bar.
L’Officiel favourite: Who can go past the classic, Casablanca?
Bush bash
Cameo Belgrave
Get out of the city for cinema under the stars and trees because now there’s a better reason than Puffing Billy to head to Belgrave. Perhaps there’ll even be a possum or two in the mix.
L’Officiel favourite: The Revenant. Leonardo DiCaprio running around the wilderness, while you are practically in the wilderness? Yes. (Screening 7th, 8th and 9th January 2016).
Brisbane
Moonlight cinema
Also taking over lawns in other Australian cities, Moonlight Cinema brings a dash of cool to the subtropics of Brisbane. Head to the grassy knoll of iconic New Farm Park at Brisbane Powerhouse.
Menu: Whatever’s in your picnic basket.
L’Officiel favourite: Get out of the corner and have the time of your life Dirty Dancing (screens 7th January 2016).
Perth
Rooftop movies
Now showing and running until 21st January 2016
Celebrating half a decade of roof top cool Rooftop Movies is the summer pop up cinema that is here to stay.
Consistently hot weather with the soothing afternoon breezes courtesy of the ‘Freo doctor’, Perth with its white sand, spacious beaches is the unofficial summer capital of Australia. The decor is all about West Coast chic with palm trees, vintage caravans and a flock of pink flamingoes.
Menu: licensed bar facilities, an on-site pop-up restaurant by Dough Pizza, and the devilishly sweet Candy Van.
L’Officiel favourite: Cult ’80s dystopian sci-fi flick, Blade Runner. Relaxing on a city roof top while taking in futuristic future scapes like the one above is kind of perfect.