QV Outdoor Cinema 2016-17

Overview

With the recent program launches of the Lido's rooftop cinema, Moonlight Cinema, Rooftop Cinema, Sunset Cinema et al, it's clear Melbourne's furiously enthusiastic love for cinema under the stars isn't waning anytime soon. And now QV Cinema has announced it too will be returning for the 2016-17 season.

Usually the realm of hectic shopping sprees, QV Melbourne last year launched its own openair cinema, and it will return with summer screenings running every Thursday to Sunday night from November to February. It's an intimate 80-seat deckchair cinema on the astroturf outside the Queen Victoria Women's Centre, and the whole program is curated by Melbourne filmmaker and film programmer Gus Berger, who runs Red Hot Shorts at ACMI.

Expect festive films in December (think Bad Santa, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Elf), an Australian film on Australia Day (The Sapphires), a focus on Melbourne independent films, alongside '80s favourites and selected special event films. There'll also be three dog-friendly Doggie + Deckchair screenings, starting with a doggy red carpet before Lady and the Tramp on December 10. All proceeds from ticket sales going to non-profit animal charity Lort Smith. With tickets at $12 (and $14 for the dog screenings) each, it's a pretty budget-friendly date option for the summer.

Opening night is happening on Wednesday, November 30, and it's pretty fittingly fashion-themed with the Sex and the City movie (the first one, of course). Best bit? Opening night is completely free, you just have to register on the QV Cinema website. Then you can spend your pennies on a sea salt soft serve cone from Aqua S.