Filmscene in the Park for this week postponed due to cold, final construction details

This week's freeze in the forecast and final construction details have led Filmscene in The Park organizers to postpone the launch of the outdoor cinema at Chauncey Swan Park.

Filmscene at the Park will now launch on Wednesday, April 28, with Best Animated Picture nominee Wolfwalkers. This week’s feature, Minari, will be scheduled.

The original post, with an updated schedule, is below:

The Iowa City Parks and Recreation Department announces FilmScene in the Park, an outdoor cinema partnership with FilmScene located at Chauncey Swan Park. The inaugural season of curated programming will include five acclaimed films from the past year and six family-friendly selections in partnership with the Summer of the Arts Free Movie Series.

"We are excited to bring outdoor movies to Chauncey Swan Park with FilmScene," said

Juli Seydell Johnson, Director of Parks and Recreation. ''The recently redesigned park provides a unique and safe outdoor venue in the downtown for movies, the Iowa City Farmers Market, and other events, as we begin a return to public gatherings."

Admission is free and open to the public. Seating will be first-come, first-served for all screenings, with movies beginning at sunset. Health and safety protocols will be in place, including social distancing aided by painted markers on the lawn. The citywide mask mandate will be enforced when moviegoers are not eating or drinking.

FilmScene in the Park is made possible by the transformative Strengthen Grow Evolve campaign, a collaboration with The Englert Theatre, and the City of Iowa City's Annual Park Improvement and Economic Development funds. This cooperative project supports the goals of both FilmScene and Iowa City Parks and Recreation.

"FilmScene in the Park will be a celebration of cinema and community under the stars," said FilmScene Executive Director Andrew Sherburne. "This open-air screening venue is something we've envisioned for over a decade and serves us well now as a safe way to enjoy a communal arts experience."

Outside the Ordinary

These films will feature award nominees and winners, festival and art house favorites from the past year that belong on a big screen to be celebrated by an audience. Free admission; film program begins at sunset. No rain dates.

• Wolfwalkers (PG), sponsored by MidWestOne Bank; Wednesday, April 28, 8:01 p.m. and Saturday, May 1, 8:05 p.m.

• The Truffle Hunters (PG-13), sponsored by Blank and McCune; Wednesday, May 5, 8:09 p.m. and Saturday, May 8, 8:12 p.m.

• Emma. (PG) sponsored by PIP Printing; Wednesday, May 12, 8:16 p.m. and Saturday, May 15, 8:19 p.m.

• Nomadland (R), sponsored by the Gang of Seven; Wednesday, May 19, 8:23 p.m. and Saturday, May 22, 8:26 p.m.

• The Wizard of Oz; Saturday, June 5, begins at sunset

Free Movie Series

This Summer of the Arts long-running series is now a partnership, with six of the 12 films taking place in the park. Presented by Urban Acres Real Estate and GreenState Credit Union. Free admission; film program begins at sunset.

• Young Frankenstein (PG) — Saturday, June 12, 8:41 p.m.

• From Here to Eternity (NR) — Saturday, June 26, 8:45 p.m. (in celebration of Donna Reed's centennial birthday)

• Who Framed Roger Rabbit? (PG) — Saturday, July 10, 8:41 p.m.

• The Wiz (G) — Saturday, July 24, 8:32 p.m.

• The Monuments Men (PG-13) — Saturday, Aug. 14, 8:07 p.m.

• Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (PG-13) — Saturday, Aug. 28, 7:45 p.m.

A Strengthen Grow Evolve Celebration

Recognizing the commitments of the Iowa City community to the cooperative capital campaign of FilmScene and The Englert Theatre.

• The Wizard of Oz (PG) — Saturday, June 5, 8:37 p.m.

This permanent, seasonal installation will provide space for regular movie screenings annually between April and October. Powered by a 33,000-lumen 4K projector on a 48-foot screen and a 10,000-watt sound system, FilmScene in the Park will be an unparalleled outdoor cinema experience in the region.

Chauncey Swan Park has been recently transformed into a natural amphitheater, ideal for public gatherings. The park is located at Washington and Gilbert Streets with parking available in the adjacent Chauncey Swan Parking Ramp. The screen will be mounted on the ramp, and will become a work of public art between shows with a colorful curtain featuring work by Thomas Agran, inspired by the region's natural prairie landscape.