What: The Free-B Film Festival
Where: Cameron Bandshell, Beacon Hill Park
When: 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays until Aug. 18
Admission: Free
Don’t expect to see some unheard-of, low-budget B movie at the Victoria Film Festival’s Free-B Film Festival, which starts its season Aug. 3 and runs until Aug. 18.
“There used to be a time when you would expect to see such classics as Santa Claus Conquers the Martians,” said Kathy Kay, festival director.
Instead the Free-B is just a play on words to “freebie” — in other words, free movies.
The outdoor film festival is always eagerly awaited by many movie buffs, despite the fact that all the titles have been out for years, if not decades.
This is the 21st year the Victoria Film Festival has offered free outdoor movies, with audiences numbering up to 2,000 for each movie.
“All of the movies are either a G or PG rating,” said Kay, who has been with the Victoria Film Festival for 22 years. “So we get lots of families.”
This year’s lineup, compiled by suggestions from past audiences and the staff, has a little something for everybody.
On Friday everybody will once again enter the world of Babe (1995), a heart-warming story of a piglet that wants to herd sheep. He is helped by a friendly border collie, but still has to battle against social hierarchy to prove himself.
On Saturday, it’s Mean Girls, a 2004 movie that would undoubtedly appeal more to teens and tweens battling their own cliques at school.
Next week’s film, Some Like it Hot (1959), will bring back many fond memories for an older demographic.
“The movies we feature are meant to open up the festival to a broader audience,” said Kay.
Other titles in this year’s lineup include Shakespeare in Love, with Joseph Fiennes playing the Bard. Two classics, the original Planet of the Apes (1968) and Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (2001) round out this year’s offerings.
Each movie is preceded by a three-minute animated short.
Everybody is encouraged to bring their own lawn chair, blanket and favourite snack (remember to pack-in, pack-out). Screenings are held rain or shine.
For more information, go to freebfilmfest.com.
