A month-long outdoor cinema could liven up the entertainment scene in Cronulla over the summer holidays.
An application has been made to stage Summertime Cinema in Gunnamatta Park from Thursday to Sunday between New Year’s Eve and January 29.
Under the proposal submitted to Sutherland Shire Council, a section of the park around the amphitheatre would be fenced off for the ticketed event.
Patrons would bring a picnic blanket, and their own food if they wished, and spread out on the terraces or grass while watching a movie on a nine metre wide, inflatabale screen.
A higher priced VIP area would include a bean bag and delivery of drinks.
The precinct would include catering facilities and be licensed to sell alcohol.
During the day, when the cinema was not in use, the precinct area would be reduced in size.
Kirrawee based events agency, Sorted Projects & Events, which is behind the initiative, estimates 500 plus people a night would attend the cinema to watch a wide range of movies from blockbusters to surfing films.
Managing director Hailey Mason, who submitted an event application in July last year, said Sutherland Shire Council had been very supportive.
“So far, we have got land management approval from the council, land owner’s consent from the state government and support from Cronulla businesses,” she said.
“We have now taken the next step of lodging a development application.”
Ms Mason said the event would start this summer depending on approval and sponsorship being finalised.
“Otherwise, we will launch the following summer,” she said.
“We need to raise about $20,000 to make the project viable.”
Ms Mason said the setting, including the rarely used amphitheatre, was ideal.
“I have been in the events industry for 17 years, and worked for a lot of global and national companies, activating their events and sponsorship, and I see the potential here,” she said.
“The shire has some of the most beautiful backdrops of anywhere in Sydney, so why not have an outdoor cinema experience here instead of people having to trek into the city?
“I think this event could be really beneficial to the community and a nice addition to the shire’s summer activities.
“We will gauge the community’s response and hopefully make it an annual event.”
Ms Mason said sponsorship was necessary because of the costs of staging the event.
“Licensing fees for the films are considerable, and then you have to set up the venue, provide security and meet other expenses,” she said.
“We are looking to defray the cost and negate the risk slightly by looking for sponsors and advertisers.
“Advertising would start from $750 a week and sponsorship from $6000.
Ms Mason said ticket admission prices would be in line with other outdoor cinemas.
“They would start at $15 for children and $17.50 for adults and increase to $30 for a VIP experience, which would include a bean bag and having drinks delivered,” she said.
”We will have movies for all of the community from young families and couples through to older groups.
“We may have a blockbuster like Bridget Jones’s Diary, where groups of girls come and then, the next night, show a niche surfing movie.
“We also want to give an opportunity to some local film makers and show short films abut the shire before the main movie.”
The development application said the company would work closely with the council was was “committed to comply with all legislation and guidelines covering permissible sound levels at outdoor events”.
“A submission has been made for a liquor and gaming license,” the application said.
“There will be no alcohol served after 10pm nightly. A special submission for New Years Eve will be made to extend trading hours to 10.30pm.”
