The Windsor International Film Festival (WIFF) is bringing back its beloved Under the Stars outdoor summer film festival for the seventh consecutive year. This three-day cinematic event, scheduled from Friday, June 12, to Sunday, June 14, promises to satisfy movie lovers' cravings for summer blockbusters, award-winning international films, and family classics.
Free Screenings for All
Under the Stars will screen movies non-stop, rain or shine, from 9 a.m. to midnight on the front lawn of the International Aquatic and Training Centre at 421 Riverside Dr. West. All screenings are free, and no registration is required. Organizers recommend that attendees bring their own chairs and blankets for a comfortable experience.
Broad Appeal for the Community
Vincent Georgie, WIFF's executive director and chief programmer, expressed enthusiasm for the event's diverse lineup. "We're really happy to bring a broad appeal of films to the community – something for family, something for date nights, something for an evening with friends," he said during a film programming launch event on Wednesday.
Family-Friendly and Local Favorites
Family-friendly movies scheduled to screen include the 1951 original Alice in Wonderland, along with modern favourites such as Lilo & Stitch, Coco, Zootopia 2, and K-Pop Demon Hunters. The local filmmaking community will also be highlighted with screenings of Gavin Michael Booth-produced Radio Renaissance: Amherstburg's New Wave and recent WIFF local award winners Click Bang Boom and Penitence.
Summer Classics and International Selections
Summer classics set to screen include True Lies starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, the comedy The Great Outdoors featuring John Candy and Dan Aykroyd, and For Your Consideration with the late Catherine O'Hara. WIFF-favourite Loving Vincent, a painted-frame-by-frame movie about artist Vincent Van Gogh, will also be shown. The selection includes Canadian and international films from the U.S., the U.K., Spain, Lebanon, and Mexico, according to Georgie.
Closing Night Highlights
The festival will close on Sunday night with a vintage screening of Alfred Hitchcock's 1960 horror classic Psycho and the 2025 Oscar-winning blockbuster Sinners starring Michael B. Jordan.
Community Staycation Option
Mayor Drew Dilkens highlighted the importance of Under the Stars as a "crucial part of the summer series" of events in the city. "This summer in particular, we know gas prices are incredibly high, which translates not just into an expensive road trip for the family, but also the thought of an expensive airplane ride if you're thinking of going anywhere else," he said. "We know that more people will be spending more time at home, having a staycation and wanting things to do."
Technical Enhancements
The movies will be played on a truck-mounted 25-foot LED screen, making for optimal daytime viewing, organizers noted.
A Sentimental Favourite
Georgie described Under the Stars as a "sentimental favourite" for WIFF. "Every time we put it on, it's always this 'come one, come all' of everybody in the community," he said. "People show up with lawn chairs, blankets, bicycles… Everyone just shows up and enjoys, and we think it's something that's pretty special, pretty magical to do."
