Showtime: Patrons enjoying the Cameo Outdoor Cinema.
WHY head all the way into the city when you can enjoy a moonlight cinema in the heart of the hills? Cameo Cinema in Belgrave is again screening films until the end of March, in its backyard — the perfect spot for a picnic and for watching the (super)stars while keeping company with local wildlife like possums, galahs and the occasional owl.
Cameo Cinema owner Eddie Tamir saw the potential nine years ago for an outdoor cinema and demolished an old, derelict house that once stood there in favour of a permanent screen and projection box.
"We wanted to create a unique experience with purely first-release films, no cult films or re-runs," Mr Tamir says.
The cinema offers 150 deck chairs and 50 picnic positions where films can be enjoyed through cordless Dolby headphones so as not to disturb nearby residents.
Family, general and limited release films are screened such as Woody Allen's You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger, Peter Jackson's The Hobbit and Ang Lee's Life of Pi.
Meanwhile, locally sourced wine, beer and ice-cream can be purchased at the candy bar.
Cameo Outdoor Cinema will screen films until March 31.
Details, tickets: 9754 7844 or cameocinemas.com.au