Aerocinema -The Journey Begins, this is the drive-in cinema project at Vilnius airport.
Since the coronavirus quarantine began, we have seen practically everything. In Madrid, for example, 'Cine de Balcón' offered its neighbors being able to see projections on the facades of large buildings ; and from Malaga, this week the first virtual cycling tour of Spain started. You thought you couldn't be surprised again, right?
Well, you're going to do it, because in Lithuania, Vilnius International Airport has launched the initiative 'Aerocinema - The Journey Begins' . A project that began on April 29 and will run until the end of May on the occasion of the ** Vilnius International Film Festival ** (Vilnius IFF).
“Despite the growth and continuous incorporation of new destinations in recent years, Vilnius International Airport has ground to a halt while waiting for restrictions on international travel to be lifted . Vilnius IFF organizers saw this downtime as a brilliant opportunity to screen movies while cinemas are closed.
So that, the airport will dedicate several days a week to making projections as if it were a summer cinema , although in this case the spectators cannot get out of their cars without their mask. Drive-in tickets can only be purchased online and another entry requirement is that there can only be two people per vehicle.
The space has been enabled so that there is a capacity of up to 200 cars , which has also served as an improvised stage with live electronic music. And about the poster, the films are international and national, as expected from an airport. Spectators will be able to travel with award-winning films such as Parasites, Mama or Pain and Glory**.
“We want to create a unique experience . Stepping out onto an airport apron, usually only accessible after check-in, is a thrilling experience. I believe that these screenings will leave a mark on the audience that will last a lifetime," said Igirdas Ramaška, General Director of Vilnius IFF.
The cinema has a screen the size of a five-story building , so the vision is assured. While the sound system is guaranteed through the car radios.
"The implementation of this project was a pleasant challenge for us: we had to adapt the airport platform , which is a restricted area, to an open space for movie lovers. It is a good opportunity to demonstrate that airports perfectly combine aviation activities with events and projects of various formats.** I think that after this there will be even more lovers not only of good cinema, but also of aviation**", he underlined Dainius Čiuplys, head of the Vilnius airport.
And what will happen when flights resume? Will the drive-in still operate? “We have new passenger flights connecting Vilnius with Frankfurt starting this week or the next. They will fly about three times a week, but there will be no problem regarding drive-in activities. The airport is fully prepared to handle all flights and also to be part of an extraordinary event”, they confirm to Traveler.es.