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Film Fridays at Debs Park

Film Fridays gives children and families an easy opportunity to be outside and learn about nature. Photo courtesy the Los Angeles Audubon Society

Grab your popcorn, your kids, maybe a picnic blanket, and head down to the Audubon Center at Debs Park for a Friday evening under the stars. The Center, located in the heart of northeast Los Angeles, is screening four different environmentally-themed movies this summer as part of its second annual summer film series.

Film Fridays is made possible through collaboration between the LA Audubon Society, the Pasadena Audubon Society, and the Center at Debs Park.

“This is an exciting and fun way for these two chapters and the Center to work together and promote conservation,” said Garry George, Audubon California’s chapter network director.

The free film series kicked off on June 20 with a screening of Artic Tale, the story of young polar bears and walruses facing a future of global warming. The film was shown in Spanish, with English subtitles. Movies shown throughout the summer will be both in English and Spanish, with subtitles for non-English or non-Spanish speakers.

The film series is an effort to engage the urban community that surrounds Debs Park to the center, and to issues related to birds, wildlife, and conservation. Through Film Fridays and other programming at Debs Park, Audubon California hopes to connect with this important audience. Last summer, more than 150 children and adults attended a screening of Happy Feet, a testament to the series’ popularity.

“Film Fridays are all about bringing the community together during the summer months to learn about the natural world that surrounds us,” said Elva Yañez, the Center’s director. “Film Fridays is one of many nature-themed, family-friendly programs that the Center provides at no cost to the residents of Los Angeles.”

Other films on the marquee this summer include Wild America, Ocean’s Oasis and Whale Rider. As a special presentation on Friday, June 11, the feature film will be preceded by a short film about the Snowy Plover, made by students in the Dorsey High School Film Program in South LA as part of LA Audubon’s Endangered Species outreach program.

Young birders from the neighborhood around the Audubon Center at Debs Park learn about local birds. Photo courtesy the Los Angeles Audubon Society

Before the movie, a bilingual bird walk is offered at 7 p.m. The bird walks provide a fun, informal introduction to the natural history of Debs Park, as well as information on the more than 136 bird species that can be spotted there. Film screenings begin at 8 p.m.

Audubon Film Fridays supply educational entertainment for the whole family, and encourage Los Angeles residents to spend time outside enjoying their neighborhood on warm summer nights. Trader Joe’s has contributed refreshments and a raffle of nature themed gifts is conducted at the end of the evening. Seating is limited, so be sure to arrive in plenty of time to stake out a good spot.