Since 2001, the Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Los Angeles has played host to Cinespia’s evenings of feature films shown to film fans under the stars.
On top of its regular lineup of outdoor screenings this year, the Cinespia producers are throwing a Fourth of July event that includes a trio of films all capped by fireworks spectaculars. “The Fast and the Furious” will be shown July 2, “Purple Rain” on July 3 and “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” on July 4. There will also be live music as well as a full grill serving up hot dogs, hamburgers and vegetarian options, a bar with beer and a curated wine list and pop-up concessions with all of the classic theater snacks for purchase. Guests can also bring in blankets, pillows, low-back chairs, food and beverages including wine and beer.
“We’ve been doing fireworks for quite a few years, but this year is different because we have them three nights in a row and it’s just kind of a special long weekend for Fourth of July,” Cinespia founder John Wyatt said during a recent video chat. “We wanted to show films that really pumped you up and then in the end you’re ready for some fireworks to shoot off and it’s really a unique show.”
As with all of its events, Cinespia will have DJs spinning before and after the screenings. They’ve had numerous big-name artists turn out to play at the venue, which has a capacity of up to 4,000. In previous years, Wyatt said they’ve had Questlove of The Roots, rapper and producer DJ Pooh, Jurassic 5 and Ozomatli DJ Cut Chemist, and actress and DJ Daisy O’Dell perform.
“Most people come early when gates open, almost two hours before the movie because the picnic is so much fun,” he said. “The DJs are a big part of that. We’ve had so many talented people and they love it because they get to experiment a little bit and think about the films in what they’re going to do. Most of the time it turns into a dance party at some point.”
Movie stars and directors have been known to show up to watch the films or take part in panels, though these are not announced ahead of time.
“You just kind of get it if you’re there,” Wyatt said, recalling as an example the time that director M. Night Shyamalan was interviewed by fellow director Jordan Peele during an anniversary screening of “The Sixth Sense.”
Demi Moore, Drew Barrymore, Paul Reubens and Elizabeth Berkley have also been surprise guests.
“Watching that from the sidelines is so fun for me, and I can tell the actors have fun too,” Wyatt said. “John C. Riley came last year and he ran out into the audience and was shaking hands and going wild. It’s exciting.”
There’s also a free photo booth with backgrounds and props themed to each movie, so that fans can take a souvenir home.
“We definitely love it when people come dressed up and we encourage that,” he said. “Not just the cosplay; People really do dress up to come to Cinespia and they jump in the photo booth and have a good time. The alternative, of course, is to just wear sweats and treat it like your living room and be super cozy. It’s one or the other and either is totally fine.”
Wyatt said that after the response he received from his first outdoor movie event at Hollywood Forever Cemetery with a screening of “Strangers on a Train” 21 years ago, he knew he had something special. Since then, the outing has become a tradition for many movie-loving Southern Californians. Cinespia has even expanded into other venues and occasionally host screenings at the Los Angeles State Historic Park and at Griffith Park near the Greek Theatre as well.
“It really hit me after the pandemic how important and meaningful these screenings have become for people,” he said. “We’re determined to keep doing it, keep them safe and give a space for this community to get together and celebrate their favorite films.”
Tickets to the July 2-4 screenings are $45 general admission and parking is $30 on-site and $20 in nearby lots and can be reserved in advance at cinespia.org. All other screenings are $22 general admission. Gates open at 7:15 p.m. and the films start at 9 p.m.
Here’s a complete list of the upcoming Cinespia outdoor films. Additional summer and fall films will be added in the coming months.
Hollywood Forever Cemetery6000 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles
July 2: “The Fast and the Furious”
July 3: “Purple Rain”
July 4: “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off”
July 9: “Almost Famous”
July 16: “Showgirls”
July 23: “Jackie Brown”
July 30: “The Birds”
Los Angeles State Historic Park1245 N. Spring Street, Los Angeles
July 22: “Pretty In Pink”
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