SINGAPORE — Award-winning films, live music and popcorn under the stars. Sounds like a fancy arts fest? Well, it’s actually a casual do taking place in the heartlands tomorrow at Toa Payoh Central. Called Cinema’Hood, it is just one of the many outdoors film screenings making their way around the neighbourhoods this year.

Cinema’Hood is part of the Arts In Your Neighbourhood programme aimed at encouraging people to rediscover their neighbourhoods and it is jointly organised by the National Arts Council and non-profit visual arts centre Objectifs. The line-up for it reads like a legitimate arts season preview: There are nine short films by award-winning local film-makers that run the gamut of genres including animation, comedy and drama. And yes, all the films are family-friendly.

“We chose films that have a fun element to them that you can enjoy with your family on a Sunday evening,” shared Leong Puiyee, programme manager for Objectifs.

The films chosen are also not your box-office blockbusters, said Leong. It is a deliberate attempt to connect local audiences with local talent, and to provide a platform for both parties to discover each other against a comfortable and familiar neighbourhood like Toa Payoh.

“We tried to showcase a mix of emerging and established film-makers to give a taste of the local film scene,” shared Leong.

Arts appreciation aside, the neighbourhood screenings are a chance to enjoy a unique shared experience with the community. “Part of the joy of film is in sharing the rich emotional moments with your fellow audience, from the heart-warming to tear-jerking and thrilling ones,” said Chua Ai Liang, the director of Arts & Communities at the National Arts Council.

Cinema’Hood is testament to the enduring popularity of outdoor movie screenings. At the start of the year, the People’s Association (PA) debuted the Be My Kaki Movie Bus, a 7.2m-long lorry going to various neighbourhoods, which screens movies from the back of the truck. These screenings were usually accompanied by fringe activities such as balloon sculpting and movie trivia quizzes.

The Movie Bus has visited neighbourhoods such as Nee Soon Central, Bukit Batok and Marine Terrace so far. The turnout has been good, said organisers, with an average of 250 residents showing up for each screening.

Another outdoors film initiative that has always been popular is National Museum’s Under The Banyan Tree programme. It has seen an average of about 500 movie-goers for each screening since its inception in 2007. It is currently on hiatus until July as the museum is in the process of planning its film programmes for the year ahead. In the meantime, there will be several outdoor movie screenings around Singapore including one at Pulau Ubin as part of the upcoming Singapore Heritage Festival, revealed National Museum’s film programmer Warren Sin.

“The experience of catching an outdoor screening is communal — the shared experience is heightened by the casualness of the surroundings,” explained Sin.

A spokesperson for People’s Association agreed, adding that outdoor movies draw young and old alike as many older Singaporeans recall the days of gathering together to watch television and movies. “Many Singaporeans still have fond memories of these past experiences, and continue to enjoy occasions to hang out with their ‘kakis’.”

Cinema’Hood is on tomorrow, 7pm, at Toa Payoh Central. Free admission

WHERE TO CATCH A MOVIE IN THE 'HOOD

Here’s where to find other open-air screenings coming to a neighbourhood near you:

SINGAPORE HERITAGE FEST FILM SCREENINGS:

April 16 and 17: Bedok Point Garden Terrace, Level 4. Free admission.

April 30: 1pm to 2.30pm and 6 to 8pm at Kong Chow Wui Koon; and 6pm to 8pm at Chin Kang Huay Kuan.

May 1: 10am to 12.30pm at Ee Hoe Hean Club and 1pm to 2.30pm at Gan Clan.

May 14: Pulau Ubin, Wayang Stage at Ubin Town.

BE MY KAKI MOVIE BUS:

Today: They will screen the movie, Jurassic World at Telok Kurau Park at 7.30pm. The bus will visit various neighbourhoods throughout the year. You can check updates at their Instagram page (https://www.instagram.com/bemykaki/) or their Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/Be-My-Kaki-Bus-613955008745212/info)

Correction: An earlier version of this report stated that the movie screenings on Pulau Ubin would take place from May 5 to 18. That is incorrect. The movie screening will take place on May 14. We apologise for the error.