WINDSOR

'WIFF Under the Stars' to feature drive-in style movies along riverfront

Melanie Borrelli

Melanie Kentner CTV Windsor Multi-Skilled Journalist / Digital Lead

Published Wednesday, August 5, 2020 12:10PM EDT Last Updated Wednesday, August 5, 2020 12:10PM EDT

Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens and WIFF executive director Vincent Georgie at Riverfront Festival Plaza in Windsor, Ont., on Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2020. (Courtesy Drew Dilkens / Twitter)

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WINDSOR, ONT. -- The Windsor International Film Festival is hosting a ‘drive-in style’ community event that will run for two weeks at Riverfront Festival Plaza.

‘WIFF Under the Stars’ takes place from Friday, Aug. 28 to Saturday, Sept. 12 along Windsor’s riverfront.

“We are so thrilled to be able to provide our community with some much-needed escape this summer with a line-up of classic and favourite films to enjoy,” said Vincent Georgie, WIFF’s executive director and chief programmer. “It is all thanks to our great team of volunteers, our sponsors that came to the table with such enthusiasm for this project, and to mayor Dilkens and the members of city council for their commitment to seeing great things happen in our community.”

The event will feature a slate of family-friendly matinees and evening double-features. All patrons must attend in a vehicle and follow all of Ontario’s public health measures.

It’s going to be a great Summer after all. Sincere thanks to Mayor Dilkens and the members of City Council for their tangible support to bring @CityWindsorON a fun event @WindsorFilmFest https://t.co/3fXsnPWrMJ
— Vincent Georgie (@VincentGeorgie) August 5, 2020

“We are pleased to keep the spirit of the festival alive with this creative, retro event,” said LiUNA! 625 president Rob Petroni. “WIFF is about community and LiUNA! is proud to be the presenting sponsor of WIFF Under the Stars, an opportunity for fans to enjoy some of their favourite films in a fun setting.”

Tickets must be purchased in advance and are available for sale at Windsorfilmfestival.com/underthestars. Matinees are $20/vehicle and evening double-features are $40/vehicle. Tickets will also be available for purchase at the Downtown Farmers Market on Aug. 8, 15 and 22.

Patrons are encouraged to visit the website for more information, including restrictions and public health measures that will be enforced due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Forty-two thousand filmgoers attended WIFF last year, experiencing one of Windsor’s most important and vibrant festivals,” said Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens. “WIFF is vital to our tourism and hospitality sector, and to Windsor’s creative economy. I was disappointed when they had to make the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 festival.”

WIFF organizers announced in June the decision to cancel the 2020 film festival in order to ensure the safety and well-being of patrons, volunteers and staff during the COVID-19 pandemic. The event was planned for this November.

Dilkens says the new event shows the organizers’ ability to adapt during the pandemic.

“The WIFF Under the Stars drive-in initiative is a demonstration of innovation at work,” says Dilkens. “I’m proud of council’s support of this current initiative, and of our previous investments in the success of the festival.”

WIFF Under the Stars Schedule:

Friday, August 28th:

DIRTY DANCING (100 mins)

AIR FORCE ONE (120 mins)

Saturday, August 29th:

10:00am: ALADDIN (year: 1992) (91 mins)

DR NO (120 mins)

GOLDFINGER (110 mins)

Sunday, August 30th:

10:00am: FINDING NEMO (100 mins)

A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN (128 mins)

THE IMPOSSIBLE (114 mins)