Night Owls Film Festival

Overview

Nothing inspires those carefree summer feels quite like a spot of outdoor cinema — especially when the flicks are free.

This January marks the return of Darling Quarter's ever-popular al fresco film screenings, delivering two weeks of outdoor movie magic for young and old (an in between).

Taking over the precinct's Village Green from January 4 to 20, the annual Night Owls Film Festival will this year kick off at 6pm nightly with a special family-friendly program — think kids' entertainment, a series of short films from Little Big Shots and a family feature film from 6.45pm. If your inner child (or actual child) loves flicks like Pixar's Coco, Paddington 2 and Hugh Jackman's The Greatest Showman head along then then.

But come nightfall on weekends, it's the big kids' turn, with a program of grown-up movies screened from 8.30pm each Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Titles such as dystopian sci-fi Maze Runner, rom-com The Big Sick and Black Panther are all on the lineup, rounding out with Australia period Western Sweet Country as the closing night film.

Be sure to bring along your picnic rug and accompany your cinema experience with eats from one of the many nearby vendors — Nok Nok Thai Eating House, Umi Sushi & Udon and pizza joint Vesta are all a short stroll away.