Open air cinema

by Tanja
Open air film festival Pluk de Nacht, Amsterdam. Photo by: Marloes den Hoed

The Amsterdam outdoor cinema 2019 season has started. Open air films are more popular every year in Amsterdam. More and more cafés and cinemas offer wide screen films in the open air: streets, squares, parks and city beaches of Amsterdam. For open air cinema in Amsterdam, agreeable weather is a must, if not, watching a movie in the outdoor can turn from a great night into torture. If blankets have not been provided by the organiser, you’d best bring your own.

Bring your own drinks?
Most places in Amsterdam don’t like it when you bring your own food and drinks to an open air film screening, but it’s not likely they will make a fuss. Remember, most Amsterdam film festivals are always free or cheap and many run by the aid of many volunteers and covering costs by selling food and drinks.

Subtitling
Films are usually foreign. If in English, subtitling will be in Dutch. If in other languages, check first if the subtitling is in English or Dutch. Many films at Amsterdam outdoor cinema events tend to be independent art house films or documentaries, in which case subtitling will be in English.

Outdoor Cinema Guide Amsterdam

Films with a view: Every Tuesday

Watch oudoor movies in Amsterdam at Pllek, the large bar and beachy summertime hangout at NDSM. Films with a View is their outdoor cinema festival in Amsterdam that takes place all summer long. Movies are every Tuesday, when the weather is nice. On Monday you can check on their Facebook page if it’s happening.

  • Movies start around sunset (21.00 – 22.00)
  • You can rent headphones for €5 from 20.30 onwards
  • This year’s theme is ‘international cities’.
  • Reserve a seat by sending an email to film@plekk.nl.

Outdoor cinema: Pluk de Nacht

Pluk de Nacht is the oldest open air cinema in Amsterdam, and it’s still so popular, you really need to arrive at least an hour in advance to get a seat. The outdoor movies are always unreleased films that have never been screened before in The Netherlands. The settings is as beautiful as PLLek, only on this side of the IJ-water, a 10 minute walk from Central Station (walk West along the water). Pluk de nacht open air cinema in Amsterdam runs entirely on volunteers.

World Cinema Open Air

The World Cinema Amsterdam Festival takes place from 15 – 24 august in Rialto and De Balie. At Marie-Heinekenplein (Amsterdam De Pijp) and Vondelpark Open Air Theatre you can also see 6 movies outdoor in Amsterdam. The movies are international films and also with English subtitles if the film is not in English.

  • Check website for program.
  • Films start around 21.30.
  • Food and drinks available.
  • Entrance is free.

Biker Outdoor Cinema

It’s a good idea to check the website or Facebook page of the charmingly small filmhouse cinema FC Hyena regularly because they offer outdoor cinema in Amsterdam Noord. On 13 and 17 August they have a special: Biker Outdoor Cinema, showing The Wilde One and the classic Easy Rider.

FC Hyena is a lovely cinema along the water of the IJ water. It not only has a wine bar but also a restaurant. And you can take you food with you into the film hall.

  • Before the film, bikers can ride together to the cinema, meet and eat at FC Hyena.
  • Films starts at 22.00 hrs.
  • Entrance is free.

Het Ketelhuis

Every Friday there is an open air cinema at Het Ketelthuis, a small film house cinema at Westergas. Films start at sunset. Film screening moves indoor when it rains.

  • Foreign films (non-English or Dutch) are subtitled in Dutch, not English, so..
  • Check program at their Facebook page.
  • The last film, Faust, 21 Sept. is accompanied by live music by Nieuw Kollektief.

Film in the Park

Film in the Park takes place in Amsterdam’s Vondelpark, at VondelCS. Films shown are made by new Dutch film makers. Featured are recent movies, short films and feature film debuts.

VU On the Roof Film Festival

Amsterdam university VU shares its roof on four nights to screen films. The second film has been chosen by VU Amsterdam’s Writer in Residence, Arnon Grunberg. The other films are part of the World Cinema Amsterdam selection. There is food, talks and live music too!

  • At 5.30 pm the roof and bar with buffet are open
  • Tickets are €13 and €20 including food
  • Program starts at 7 pm (19.00)
  • Check website for program and tickets
  • Program moves indoors when it rains

Forest Filmfestival

The Amsterdamse Bos is the decor of the Forst Filmfestival. There is a campfire, marshmallows and options for picknick (order via link below). The Amsterdamse Bos is near Amstelveen.

  • Films are introduced, start at 20.30
  • Friday: Into the wild, Saturday: Captain Fantastic
  • Free entrance, or order a beach chair at: http://bit.ly/forestfilmfestival

West Beach Filmfestival

West Beach Filmfestival takes place at a beautiful spot along the water of the recreational Sloterplas lake (at Bastion at the beach area). It’s getting bigger each year, with food trucks, dj’s, pre-films and activities for the kids added last year. Drinks and food are available, bringing your own is not appreciated.

  • Program is online at Facebook event page.
  • Entrance is free.
  • When it rains, the films moves indoor (tent)
  • Open from 14.00 (Sat & Sun) or 17.00 (Mon-Fri)
  • Take tram 7, 13 or 14 to get there.

Amsterdam Rooftop Cinema: Movie Nights, all summer

Rooftop Movie Nights are cinema nights screened at different rooftops in Amsterdam. Base and organisers is the 17th floor of the Ramada Hotel near Rembrandt Park. On screen are popular films like Amélie and The Sixth Sense as well as cartoons, film house movies and sneak preview.


 

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