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Outdoor Cinema

Outdoor Cinema at the Barbica

This summer, come along to a week of spectacular open-air screenings full of fantasy, adventure and spectacular environments. 

Taking inspiration from our exhibition Our Time on Earth, all our screenings feature films that make a profound connection to their settings. 

Be awed by the amazing power of Mothra, the iconic Japanese character who must defend the rights of her islanders; immerse yourself in the ‘right to be cold’ and our natural connection to H2O, with our short film programme Bodies of Water; travel back to an ancient empty of everything except music, with Pink Floyd Live at Pompeii; see the epic war between forest spirits and humans in Hayao Miyazaki’s Princess Mononoke; the distinctive animation of René Laloux’s extra-terrestrial fantasy La Planète Sauvage, ending with the lush, beautiful and influential Southern-set Daughters of the Dust by Julie Dash

 

Events

Food

We’ve got brilliant fresh food especially available for the Outdoor Cinema from Copper Rattle, Toum & Tahini and Kichiya Pastries (photos in the image gallery above)

Copper Rattle bring their delicious gourmet hot dogs, in meat and vegan options, topped with mayo, mustard and/or ketchup and finished with crispy onions. Plus, there’ll be hot and salty freshly-popped popcorn

Toum & Tahini have two tasty versions of their fatteh – 8-hour stewed chicken, or Syrian ‘Sofra’ chickpeas, served with chopped bread, garlic tahini yoghurt, olive oil and pine nuts, alongside Moutabal, a smoked aubergine dip

Kichiya Pastries offer the perfect Japanese desserts, with Dorayaki Matcha Ice cream, Dorayaki and Azuki cream, Soufflé Cheese-cake, Yuzu Carrot Cake, Sesame Sable, Matcha Shortbread, and scoops of ice cream

Event information

Information might change closer to the events taking place, so it’s worth double checking nearer the time, and we’ll be in touch with the most important information before your screening. 

Coming to the screening 
It’s first come, first served with seating – you can claim your seats up to an hour before the screening. Seat pads are available, although you're welcome to bring your own if you prefer to, or to be extra comfy.
 
You’ll be given a pair of headphones to listen to the film through; there won’t be any speakers outside. You’ll collect these on arrival and hand them in on the way back. 

We can’t provide blankets, but we advise you to bring one along, as well as a jacket or coat and anything else you’d like to have with you after sundown, as it’ll get chilly.
 
Please don’t bring large bags or lots of stuff with you, as there’s no cloakroom available.
 
Come in up to 15 minutes after the advertised start time. Staff members are there to help you find an available seat. If you arrive late, you’ll be missing the film – we’re punctual!

You’re free to take pictures of the screening area until the film begins, but after that, please don’t take photo or video once the film has started - the same piracy rules apply as they would for an indoor cinema. Also, please respect the privacy of our residents and your fellow audience members. 

Food and drink
Food and drink is available to purchase on site; see above for more information. Only drink purchased on site can be consumed at the Outdoor Cinema. Glass bottles aren’t allowed for the safety of you and fellow audience members.

Access
Outdoor Cinema is wheelchair accessible: there is a ramp leading to the screening area. Please let us know in advance if you need assistance by emailing us at [email protected].
Assistance dogs are welcomed (but no pets, sorry!)

If there’s rain 
We’re at the mercy of the British summer. If the forecast looks like rain, we recommend you bring waterproof clothing. We’d ask you not to bring umbrellas though, so the person behind can still enjoy the film. 
We’ll cancel and refund if the weather is deemed to be extreme or unsafe. If that happens, you’ll receive an email from us. 

Finding the Sculpture Court
Just arrive through our main entrance and the Sculpture Court is up on level 3, just outside the Art Gallery. If you’re unfamiliar with our venue, don’t worry – we’ll provide directions on how to get here nearer the time. 

Finally, we’d ask you to remember that the Outdoor Cinema is in a residential area, so we’d kindly ask you to be as quiet as possible when you’re leaving.