The National Film & Sounds Archives Big Screen film festival opened in Port Douglas last weekend.  The gates opened at 6pm and the crowds were forming queues into the park as early as 5pm to get the best seat under the stars in Rex Smeal Park.

Over 500 people turned out for this big film night.  We don't get to see movies in Port Douglas unless they are on DVD on our home screens.  Geoff Ward from Shannonvale said "There was a line up of traffic from Ferro Rd on the Highway all the way to the Park. I have never seen anything like it".

Three movies were on the programme.  The first movie screened was the newly released Aussie program 'Bran nue dae' which was very well received by all the locals.  The young children especially loved all the songs to sing along to.

This was followed by the 1954 classic 'King of the Coral Sea', and the short film 'Sharpeye' set in the Torres Strait Island communities of Bamaga and Seisia. The organisers were very pleased with the turnout for this first screening and they have confirmed that at the earliest possible opportunity they'll do it all again with another selection of titles.

Editors comments: You don't realise how much you miss the cinema until one drops in. Then you realise what a difference the old big screen makes and an audience.  Great fun, can't wait to see what's on next.  as soon as we get confirmation from the organisers we'll publish it on Newsport immediately.