Athena Cinema Announces Holiday Movie Series

The holidays have arrived and that means it’s time for Athena Cinema to announce the lineup of classic holiday movies for the 10th annual holiday movie series.

Beginning Friday, December 2, the series is offering free admission to holiday movies in exchange for food or cash donations for the local pantry.

From December 2-22, Athena Cinema of Ohio University’s College of Fine Arts will partner with Arts for OHIO, Athens Area Chamber of Commerce, Athens Uptown Business Association and Athens Food Pantries to bring back the traditional holiday movie series.

Cinema Athena will change programming this year by kicking off the event on the same evening as the Athens tree lighting.

• The first event will take place on the evening of Friday, December 2, featuring “Edward Scissorhands” at 7 p.m.
• The second event will feature “Elf” at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Saturday, December 3.
• On Saturday, December 10, the theater will show “A Christmas Story” at 3 p.m. and there will also be an ugly sweater contest before the movie.
• “The Grinch (2018)” will be played at 3 p.m. on Saturday, December 17.
• The final event will take place on Thursday, December 22 and will be a 7 p.m. screening of “White Christmas.”

“We are delighted to welcome the 10th year of the holiday series. There is something magical about watching holiday movies together on Court Street and this experience is one of our favorite annual traditions,” said the director of cinema Athena, Alexandra Kamody.

To benefit area families in need, the price of admission to these screenings will be a non-perishable food or cash donation per ticket. Over the past 10 years, this series of events has raised nearly 7,000 pounds of non-perishable food donations and approximately $4,300 in cash donations for the Athens Food Pantry.

Tickets will be available one week before each scheduled screening. This year, tickets will also be available online with monetary donations. Donations can be dropped off during normal Athena Hall hours. At the time of donation, tickets will be issued. The Athéna cinema lobby is open Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., Thursdays and Fridays from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturdays from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Sundays from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The purpose of the Holiday Series initiative is to give back to the greater Athens community and families in need during the season. The cinema also hopes to provide an affordable downtown entertainment option and increase traffic to area businesses. All students, faculty, staff, and area residents are encouraged to support the initiative, take advantage of local shops/restaurants, and enjoy a fun holiday event with family and friends.

Further information and movie trailers can be found on the Athena Cinema website at http://athenacinema.com/holidayseries/