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Texas-based Howard Hughes Corp. wants you to come to the movies for free.
In partnership with the Hawaii International Film Festival and Consolidated Theatres, Ward Village will host a free outdoor film on the second Thursday of each month beginning June 12, starting with an offering that might surprise many local folks: an Italian surf film.
"Bella Vita" is about surfer, artist and environmentalist Chris Del Moro’s journey to his ancestral homeland in Italy.
The audience will have the rare opportunity to ask questions of the filmmaker, Jason Baffa, who will attend the 6 p.m. screening.
"Our thought process was really that it would be a good community event, a way to bring people in to experience Ward Village …and a way to give back to the community," said David Striph, senior vice president for Howard Hughes in Hawaii.
So much is planned for the future of Kakaako that the Courtyard Cinema event will enable the public to "see what we’re doing down here, and get the place more activated," on an ongoing basis, he said.
Ward Village will become a mixed-use community over the next 10 years under a plan that will offer retail shops and restaurants as it now does coupled with high-rise living, open spaces and a design that encourages pedestrian traffic.
The screenings will be in what used to be the parking lot between the IBM Building and Ala Moana Boulevard.
"We’ve redeveloped it into an outdoor courtyard, with a beautiful water feature that runs the entire length of the backyard," which now includes trees, grass "and a big lanai," he said.
It is the site of the Ward Village information center and sales gallery, and will be the staging point for Courtyard Cinema screenings, refreshments, activities and special guests tied into the theme of each month’s film.
Howard Hughes is not new to community events. This weekend it is staging SEE/CHANGE in the South Street Seaport area of New York, which includes a film series, food vendors and pop-up retailers, musical performances and more.
In Honolulu, Howard Hughes’ partners at HIFF are curating the movie selections, which will include a range of "unique films that you wouldn’t normally see," Striph said.
Howard Hughes officials are gearing up for what they hope will become a favorite community gathering.
"We look forward to sharing these fantastic films with our local community, and invite everyone to join us for what we believe will be a fulfilling cultural and educational entertainment experience for all," said Katie Ka‘anapu, senior marketing manager, in a statement.
While Hawaii Film Festival screenings are popular and well attended during its own events, "the Courtyard Cinema series provides everyone from film critics to families with a special opportunity to experience the very best in cinema culture in a beautiful environment, free of charge," said Robert Lambeth, HIFF executive director.
While the event is free, tickets are needed and can be obtained online once the Ward Village Courtyard Cinema website goes live Wednesday.
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On the Net:
» bellavitafilm.com
» Scheduled to be up Wednesday: www.wardvillagecourtyardcinema.com
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