Val Morgan says Moonlight Cinema to return despite several locations still in lockdown
Moonlight Cinema will return across Australia in November, with Val Morgan announcing 470 screenings across 6 locations, including a return of Sydney’s Western Sydney location and a brand new Adelaide location.
Val Morgan revealed plans to run the outdoor sessions from November to March in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide although there are not yet government guidelines for what COVID restrictions may look like in multiple cities by then.
In a statement given to Mumbrella*, Val Morgan and Event said: “The Moonlight Cinema team are well versed in running COVID-safe event operations, following a successful program delivered in 2020.
“As a part of the Event Hospitality & Entertainment Group family, Moonlight Cinema’s comprehensive wellbeing plans are above and beyond industry standard initiatives that have been implemented successfully at other Event Hospitality & Entertainment properties.
“Moonlight Cinema operates in this most picturesque and sprawling parklands in Australia. The large sites are perfect for social distancing, and the team will again adhere to all relevant state guidelines on capacities and restrictions.”
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has said that restrictions will ease significantly once the state reaches the 70% and then 80% fully vaccinated targets, but neither she, nor Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews, have flagged when large-scale gatherings will be permitted to occur in their respective states.
Val Morgan is adding new location to be added in 2021 is Rymill Park in Adelaide, while the previous location at the Botanic Park remains closed for rejuvenation.
Meanwhile, the Western Sydney Moonlight Cinema at the Western Sydney Parklands will return as Sydney’s second location.
Event Cinemas director of entertainment Australia, Luke Mackey, said: “Moonlight Cinema is Australia’s original outdoor cinema experience that has become an iconic summer tradition for families and friends across the country.
“Guests love the Moonlight experience because it gives them an opportunity to enjoy our beautiful outdoor parklands, balmy summer sunsets, and spend quality time connecting with loved ones.
“Movies offer a wonderful escape, and we know there’s a huge pent-up demand for people to return to the movies, so we are thrilled to reveal our program in the coming months and welcome people back to Moonlight to enjoy a film under the stars again this summer.
Special screening nights and activations will also form part of the Moonlight program.
Val Morgan managing director, Guy Burbidge highlighted the opportunities for brands to get involved over the upcoming summer, which will feature a big slate of blockbuster content.
“We’re thrilled to bring brands the opportunity to reach young, affluent, audiences who are looking to get back to social experiences. With the incredible content slate, we know audience engagement will be at an all-time high, ensuring brands receive the attention they deserve.”
Burbidge said Moonlight Cinema is impactful for brands because it sees families gather for shared memories, and that there are many opportunities to get involved, from sampling opportunities to larger activations.
“Cinema is not only the most impactful format for brands to connect with valuable audiences, but it is a memorable, emotion-evoking experience like no other, and Moonlight Cinema encompasses exactly that – it is all about creating shared memories with family, friends and even pets, with the unforgettable element of laying under the sunset and stars.
“Moonlight is the perfect opportunity for brands to be seen and heard by such a highly social and captivated audience at one of the most anticipated summer events.”
*This article has been updated to reflect a comment provided by Val Morgan and Event.
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Zanda Wilson was a reporter and podcast producer at Mumbrella, specialising in radio reporting. He left Mumbrella in September 2021.
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