The third iteration of Film Fest 919 is coming back for the 2020 season with a series of shows from Wednesday, October 14 through Saturday, October 31. With movie theaters still seeing restrictions due to COVID, however, Film Fest 919 is changing its structure and moving the show outdoors – both to the Southern Village Green and a newly-constructed permanent drive-in theater at Carraway Village.

Development at Carraway Village has been ongoing, with discussions surrounding everything from climate-controlled storage and a gas station to a putt-putt course and accompanying electric go-cart track. The new drive-in movie theater, where a portion of Film Fest 919 will take place, is a long-term addition to Carraway Village that will continue to show Hollywood releases beyond the festival.

“We are pleased to bring Film Fest 919 to Carraway Village and to provide a unique movie-going experience at The Drive-In at Carraway Village,” said Kyle Whitaker – vice president of development with Northwood Ravin, the owner of Carraway Village – in a press release. “Given the ‘new normal’ brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, we’re excited to provide an opportunity for the residents of our community, the Town of Chapel Hill and the Triangle as a whole, to gather in a socially distanced environment and enjoy a night at the movies.”

Film Fest 919’s first run opened with “ROMA” and closed with “Green Book” – both of which went on to win Oscars. The second season saw more local screenings of award-winning films such as “Parasite,” “Jojo Rabbit,” “Ford v. Ferrari,” “Marriage Story” and more. According to the release announcing this year’s film festival structure, a “limited number of passes” will be available starting Wednesday, September 23, with each pass allowing for up to five people to attend “per car and/or pod.”

“With theaters still under state mandate to stay closed, over the past several months we have explored many options to produce a COVID-appropriate Festival where we can provide the health and safety of our community while giving film lovers a new and exciting theatrical experience to look forward to,” commented Film Fest 919 Founders Randi Emerman and Carol Marshall in the press release. “In keeping with our tradition, this year’s program will feature a slate of films encompassing a diverse breadth of compelling selections for the area’s enthusiastic film-loving audience.”

Photo via the Town of Chapel Hill.

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