Culture

ATHENS, Ohio – This holiday season, the Athena Cinema will be hosting its 12th annual Holiday Film Series. The series offers free admission to holiday movies in exchange for non-perishable food items or cash donations for local food pantries.

From Dec. 6 through Dec. 21, the Athena Cinema, part of Ohio University’s Chaddock + Morrow College of Fine Arts, will partner with Arts for OHIO, the Ohio Arts Council, the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce, the Athens Uptown Business Association and Athens Food Pantries to bring back the Holiday Film Series.

The Athena Cinema will be kicking off the event on the same night as the Athens Tree Lighting.

•Classic Christmas Shorts: Frosty the Snowman/Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer on Friday, Dec. 6, at 7 p.m.

•Elf on Saturday, Dec. 7, at 3 p.m.

•National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation on Saturday, Dec. 14, at 3 p.m.

•The Grinch (2018) on Saturday, Dec. 21, at 3 p.m.

“We are so excited to be back at the Athena this year for our 12th Holiday Series. We are looking forward to celebrating the season with our community and collecting donations for the area food pantries,” said the Athena Cinema Director Alexandra Kamody.

Over the past eleven years, this series has raised over 7,000 pounds in non-perishable food donations and over $6,000 in cash donations for Athens Food Pantries. More than 5,800 attendees have enjoyed the low-cost holiday family entertainment while helping their neighbors in need.

Tickets will be available one week before each scheduled screening. Donations may be dropped off during regular Athena lobby hours. At the time of the donation, tickets will be issued. The Athena Cinema lobby is open Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 4–8 p.m., Thursdays and Fridays from 4–10 p.m., Saturdays from 2–10 p.m., and Sundays from 2– 8 p.m.

The purpose of the Holiday Series is to give back to the greater Athens community and families in need during the season. The Athena also hopes to provide an affordable Uptown entertainment option and increase traffic to area businesses. All students, faculty, staff and area residents are invited to support the initiative, take advantage of local shopping/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/.