Movie nights a family can afford

Who says catching a Friday night flick with the family has to bust the budget?

While taking a family of four to the theater for a film and concessions can easily jump the $50 mark and beyond, the city of New Port Richey has a solution.

For one Friday a month starting this week, the Cultural Affairs Advisory Committee is presenting Free Movie Friday at Sims Park. The Friends of the Library and the Parks and Recreation Kids Advisory Board are doing their part by providing concessions.

The screenings are organized in conjunction with a program launched by the Coalition for Quality Children's Media, Kids First! Film Festival. The organization is a national nonprofit founded in 1991 and based in Santa Fe, N.M.

"Kid's First Film Festival has made it possible for our city to bring this series to life," said Glenn Hanff, chairman of the cultural affairs committee.

"We know times are tough for many of the city's residents right now, so we felt it was important to give families and young adults something fun and free to do together right in their home town."

Beyond simply offering residents a free movie and snacks, committee member Lia Gallegos said that other family-oriented opportunities are involved.

"The whole idea behind the Kids First! Film Festival is to teach children and parents about the importance of critical viewing skills and to create a dialogue between kids and parents about what they are watching."

All movies that are screened contain no inappropriate sexual behavior, no gratuitous violence or abuse, or bias in terms of race, culture, gender or religion, Gallegos added.

The cultural affairs committee held a soft opening last month and tonight's showing of 2006's animated hit "Ice Age: The Meltdown" is to be the first publicized event.

Concessions begin at 6:30 p.m. and prior to the feature film is a collection of three-to-15-minute Kids First! Film Festival award-winning film shorts.

"Night at the Museum," starring Ben Stiller, is scheduled for Dec. 18.

Gallegos said there are no restrictions on who may attend screenings and that many movies will appeal to all ages. In February, she said, the cultural affairs committee is working on showing the Michael Curtiz's classic 1942 drama "Casablanca."

To find information on Free Movie Friday or volunteer opportunities associated with the events, go to www.DiscoverNPR.com.