The annual outdoor independent film festival, Under the Stars at Clark Park, is returning this spring with four screenings scheduled for May, June and July. The festival, hosted by West Philly-based cinema cinéSPEAK, features city premieres of independent films from around the world, plus local DJs, food trucks and other activities. All events are free to attend.

Screenings take place on Fridays or Saturdays at 9 p.m. through July 9 (weather-permitting). The pre-show starts at 7:30 p.m.

The festival was scheduled to kick off on May 20, but the opening night was postponed due to rain. Here is the schedule for this Friday (May 27):

Pre-Show DJ: Duiji 13 (of Vinyl Tap 215)
Film: Prince’s SIGN O’ THE TIMES (35th Anniversary 4K Remaster) *Philadelphia Premiere*
Dir. Prince Rogers Nelson / US / English / 1987 / 85min
Synopsis: ‘The best Prince film you’ve never seen’ – Music legend Prince and his band perform 13 numbers, most of them from his double album, Sign O’ the Times.

And here’s the schedule for June and July:

June 3:

Reggie Yates’ Pirates *Philadelphia Premiere*
with DJ Junior (of Record Breakin’ Music and Eavesdrop Radio on WKDU)

June 10:

Rita Baghdadi’s Sirens
with DJ – TBA

June 17 (rescheduled from May 20):

Kathryn Ferguson’s Nothing Compares *Philadelphia Premiere*
with DJ John Vettese (WXPN Host)

Saturday, July 9 (rescheduled from May 27):

Prince’s SIGN O’ THE TIMES (35th Anniversary 4K Remaster) *Philadelphia Premiere*
Dir. Prince Rogers Nelson / US / English / 1987 / 85min

Festival events are held in “The Bowl” at Clark Park, approximately 4350 Chester Ave. Admission is free but, due to COVID-19 safety protocols, registration is requested. For more info about each show and to register, visit: www.cineSPEAK.org/ATTEND. Also, follow cinéSPEAK on Facebook for additional information/updates.

In addition to Clark Park, cinéSPEAK will present more film screenings throughout the summer at various local venues, including Bartram’s Garden, Kingsessing Rec Center and Pentridge Station Pop-up. More info is here.

(Photo courtesy of cinéSPEAK)