Some of Vienna's outdoor film sessions have already begun as summer approaches. A variety of outdoor activities will be available this year as well. There will be screenings of indie films, historical masterpieces, and films from international film festivals.
The Kino am Dach is the city's longest open-air cinema in terms of duration, with over three and a half months' worth of programming. The main library on the Gürtel's roof hosts a daily presentation of "current festival successes, cinematic delicacies, and highlights of cinema-on-roof history" that began at the beginning of June. The high-altitude event, after all, marks its 20th anniversary this year.
The Volxkino is once again equally lush, albeit not confined to one place. Up to September 16th, Vienna's oldest outdoor movie theatre, now in its 34th year, will make guest appearances around the entire city in parks, between government buildings, on the New Danube, and in public squares and marketplaces. As usual, with free entrance, the emphasis is mostly on homegrown productions. The lineup is completed with independent German films and festival cinema from across the world.
Classical and contemporary film at the Augarten
The Augarten's "the most beautiful open-air cinema in Vienna" officially opens its doors on June 22. The Filmarchiv Austria showcases groundbreaking films by up-and-coming filmmakers on 60 evenings, alongside legendary masterpieces from the history of cinema.
There are also a number of bonus tracks, such as the "Cinema Sessions," which feature silent film classics with live music accompaniment, specials on the director Maria Schrader and editor Monika Willi (who received an Oscar nomination for "Tar"), the legendary film composer Ennio Morricone (who passed away in 2020), and a tribute to 1990s cinema.
All films, with the exception of the concluding film "Vienna Calling," which pays homage to the varied Viennese scene and features a live performance by Der Nino aus Wien, will be rerun the following day at the Metro Kinokulturhaus. In terms of gastronomy, they are once again collaborating with the Grünstern garden kitchen.
Most popular outdoor movie theatre in Rathausplatz
On July 1, the summer movie season with the biggest viewership kicks off. You are invited to the Rathausplatz, the epicenter of Vienna's regional politics, for the 33rd consecutive year by the film festival hosted by the City of Vienna Marketing. Here, as always, the emphasis is on the music. Mozart's "Magic Flute" plays at the beginning. Additional treats from the pop, opera, jazz, and musical genres may be viewed on the 300-square-meter screen for free through September 3 and in partnership with the Vienna State Opera, Vereinigte Bühnen Wien, and ORF III.
Additionally, climate change is discussed, for instance through a new interpretation of Vivaldi's "Four Seasons" in which storms are worse, rivers are drying up, and birds have stopped singing. A vast variety of culinary options will once again surround the festival.
Extra offer for people with hearing implants
The Kaleidoscope Festival on Karlsplatz focuses a special emphasis on accessibility. Wearers of hearing implants can link directly to the cinema sound using induction loops to prevent extraneous noise. In addition, sign language interpretation and German subtitling will be available on select days for hard of hearing and deaf persons, albeit the provision has had to be pared back owing to local budget cuts, as the four-member curatorial team CineCollective observed.
The 30 films that could be seen between June 14 and July 15, in terms of substance, concentrated on 15 major cities and the realities of living there. We go to Atlanta and New York for the opening of the movie "Kokomo City," whose director and producer D. Smith follows and hears from four black trans* sex workers in-depth. All screenings will be preceded by a variety of events, including dance competitions, concerts, and readings. These are meant to explain the films and, as the quartet emphasises, "build a bridge to Vienna."
Short films for "Pay as you can"
A few smaller open-air theatres also welcome you to savour the treats of film. The dotdotdot Festival, for instance, will hold discussions with guests on a variety of topics every Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday in the garden of the Folklore Museum in Josefstadt during its 14th edition (30 July–29 August). In case of inclement weather, the discussions will take place in the Great Hall. Early in July is when the programme is expected to be released. One thing is for certain: translating services for those with hearing impairments will be made available here as well, and entry will be on a "pay what you can" basis.
The frame[o]ut festival at the MuseumsQuartier has committed to showing "innovative domestic and international cinema" every Friday and Saturday in Hof 8 (or MQ Arena21 in case of adverse weather) from 14 July to 2 September. And when historical silent films with live music are played on Columbusplatz in Favoriten on August 18 and 19, it will once more be silent and loud. Due to the budget, Alice Guy-Blanche, who created the first fictitious film in the world in 1896, will only be recognised for two instead of three days this time.
