Over the winter months, the production team behind the IMB Sunset Cinema has been busy putting together a program of blockbuster and cult classic movies.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
And now with the arrival of long and sunny days, the much anticipated 2014-2015 season of the outdoor cinema at the Wollongong Botanic Garden is about to kick off.
The live music, gourmet food and fully licensed bar is also ready to go, so it's time to dust off the picnic chairs and rugs. Or hire the beanbags.
IMB Sunset Cinema managing director Simon Rollin said the team was thrilled to be back in Wollongong for its fourth season.
"We think cinema is best experienced outdoors with friends and family so we'd encourage everyone to make a night of it and get outside this summer for a unique movie experience," Rollin said.
"We've gone to great lengths to put together an attractive movie schedule that mixes some big blockbusters in with some classics and some family-friendly films.
"There is something for everyone and we have priced it to be accessible to as many people as possible."
Screening under the stars will take place over an eight-week season from December 26 to February 3 with three sessions (Thursday, Friday and Saturday) each week.
The line-up of movies will include The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 1, Top Gun, Dirty Dancing, Annie, Paddington and Frozen (Sing-A-Long).
For those in the mood for love and laughs, Pretty Woman will be screened on Valentine's Day.
Rollin said the outdoor cinema experience was underpinned by social interaction.
"It's a completely different experience to going to a hard-top cinema," he said.
"When you come to an outdoor cinema you are encouraged to come with family and friends and to spend time catching up face-to-face, away from computer screens and phones.
"Our movie experience is very much based on it being a social night out.
"We provide the movie and the entertainment and on a beautiful night in the Botanic Garden there's not much we believe that could top that experience."
Rollin said the event featured a state-of-the-art inflatable cinema screen, digital projectors and a top quality audio system.
"We strive to put on a really good experience and I think people in Wollongong have seen that and they are willing to spread the word and encourage their friends to come along as well," he said.
"We've been blessed with some good audience figures in the past."
IMB chief executive Robert Ryan said it was wonderful to see the event get bigger and better each year.
"We are excited to bring this fabulous outdoor movie experience back for another season," Ryan said.
Tickets are on sale now at sunsetcinema.com.au/wollongong.