Melbourne, Australia: Outdoor Movies Raise Money for the Melbourne Queer Film Festival, Australia

Movies Under the Stars is an annual outdoor movie fundraiser for the Melbourne Queer Film Festival (MQFF), held at the Fairfield Amphitheatre. Now in its 15th year and predating newer outdoor venues such as Rooftop Cinema and Moonlight Cinema, the event is as much a social gathering as a film programme.

“It’s got to be the only remaining cinema experience where you can still smoke, bring your dog, pack a picnic dinner, bring your own doona, and watch great queer outdoor movies,” says MQFF director Lisa Daniel. Groups travel from Bendigo by bus; audiences often arrive two hours before the films. “We get crowds of people who haven’t seen each other since before Christmas, all coming along early with their picnics. It’s a fantastic atmosphere.”

Season programme at Fairfield Amphitheatre, Fairfield Park Drive: Just the Two of Us (Fri 23 Jan), Outing Riley (Sat 24 Jan), Shelter (Fri 30 Jan), Itty Bitty Titty Committee (Sat 31 Jan). Tickets $13 ($11 concession and MQFF members) at the door. Gates open 7 p.m.; films start at dusk. Refreshments available.