Blue Sky Icon TikTok Icon

HOLIDAY FILM SERIES

Support Athens Food Pantries!

Celebrate the holidays with loved ones!

Enjoy the nostalgia of classic holiday films on the big screen!

 

It’s the 12th annual Holiday Film Series & Canned Food Drive! The price of admission to each show is a non-perishable food or monetary donation to local food pantries.

 

We are always excited to bring you another batch of fun, family-friendly films that are sure to put you in a holiday mood! And, as an added bonus, this year’s series will take place here at The Athena now that all three of our theaters are back online. We hope you’ll join us in our annual celebration and fundraiser for the Athens County Food Pantries.

As always, admission is a canned good (or other non-perishable food product) or a cash donation to the Athens Food Pantry. You can bring in donations and pick up tickets to the movies ahead of time during the Athena lobby hours, or online.

Holidays Series Line-Up:

Friday, December 6th at 7:00 p.m. – Classic Christmas Shorts: Frosty the Snowman + Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer

Saturday, December 7th at 3:00 p.m. – Elf

Saturday, December 14th at 3:00 p.m. – National Lampoons Christmas Vacation

Saturday, December 21st at 3:00 p.m. – The Grinch (2018)

 

Sponsored by Athena Cinema, Arts for Ohio and Ohio Arts Council

Share this Film

Click on Showtimes to Get Tickets Online
This Film is Wheelchair Accessible

Read full story · Comments { 0 }
Sponsored by Ohio University's Department of Real Estate Management, Community Engagement and Economic Development.

HEROES IN COLOR

The mission of this film series is to synergize education and entertainment, creating a unique experience for our community. At the heart of the Heroes in Color film series lies a commitment to celebrate voices and stories of people of color that have traditionally been marginalized within popular culture. By showcasing a kaleidoscope of cinematic heroes who reflect the spectrum of human stories, backgrounds, and aspirations, we strive to redefine heroism, proving that anyone, regardless of their origin, can rise to greatness.

Each show will feature added content such as trivia, introductions, raffles, themed drinks and more!

Sponsored by Ohio University Division of Diversity & Inclusion, Multicultural Center, Black Student Cultural Programming Board, Division of Student Affairs, Office of Global Affairs, Ohio Men of Excellence Network and Ohio Arts Council

For questions, contact series organizers Brandon Thompson and Dr. Gordon Briggs at info@therearemoreofus.org

 

                                                                                            Brandon Thompson                      Dr. Gordon Briggs

Share this Film

Click on Showtimes to Get Tickets Online
This Film is Wheelchair Accessible

Read full story · Comments { 0 }

PIRATES VS. THE KRAKEN: An Animated Short

We are excited to announce that we will be premiering a special animation project right before GHOSTBUSTERS at our Rooftop Screening this Thursday. Admission is included with GHOSTBUSTERS tickets.

This project is a collaboration between the Ohio Arts Council, the Athena Cinema, Passion Works Studio, and artist Jeremy Bessoff.

About the short film: A group of salty pirates and enchanting mermaids find themselves entangled in a battle for survival in this interactive, animated adventure. The rag-tag crew inadvertently wake a fearsome kraken in the deep, uncharted waters of the coast of Athens … Ohio.

Share this Film

Click on Showtimes to Get Tickets Online
This Film is Wheelchair Accessible

Read full story · Comments { 0 }

Halloween Rooftop Double Feature: GHOSTBUSTERS and THE EXORCIST

Who ya gonna call…Ghostbusters or an exorcist?

Join us on the rooftop of the Athens City Parking Garage on Thursday, October 26th for our Halloween Rooftop Double Feature screenings of GHOSTBUSTERS and THE EXCORCIST! Admission is $12 for a single film or $20 for the double feature.

Seating Begins         7:00 P.M.

GHOSTBUSTERS       8:00 P.M.

THE EXORCIST       10:00 P.M.

GHOSTBUSTERS

After the members of a team of scientists lose their cushy positions at a university in New York City, they decide to become “ghostbusters” to wage a high-tech battle with the supernatural for money. They stumble upon a gateway to another dimension, a doorway that will release evil upon the city. The Ghostbusters must now save New York from complete destruction.

THE EXORCIST

In remembrance of William Friedkin, still dubbed SCARIEST movie of ALL time, THE EXORCIST is a tale of an exorcism based loosely on actual events. When young Regan starts acting odd — levitating, speaking in tongues — her worried mother seeks medical help, only to hit a dead end. A local priest, however, thinks the girl may be seized by the devil. The priest makes a request to perform an exorcism, and the church sends in an expert to help with the difficult job.

Admission is $12 for a single film or $20 for the double feature. Tickets cannot be shared or passed from one individual to another.

No outside concessions or alcohol permitted. Specialty cocktails and mocktails will be available for purchase, in addition to concessions.

We encourage patrons to bring blankets and layers. It gets chilly when the sun goes down.

Share this Film

Click on Showtimes to Get Tickets Online
Running Time: 250 MIN250 MIN
This Film is Wheelchair Accessible

Read full story · Comments { 0 }

The Met: Live in HD

The 2024-2025 season of Metropolitan Opera performances return to the Athena!

The Met: Live in HD is the Metropolitan Opera’s Peabody and Emmy Award–winning series of opera performances transmitted live from the stage of the Met into movie theaters worldwide.

Experience extraordinary opera performances live from the Metropolitan Opera in your local cinema. The season features live transmissions starring the greatest artists in opera.

All events feature intermissions.

Special thanks to George Weckman and the following supporters:

 

Share this Film

Click on Showtimes to Get Tickets Online
This Film is Wheelchair Accessible

Read full story · Comments { 0 }

Fall Sustainability Series: TAKING ROOT: THE VISION OF WANGARI MAATHAI

Watch Trailer Director: Alan Dater, Lisa Merton
Cast: Wangari Maathai

About the film

Taking Root tells the dramatic story of Kenyan Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Wangari Maathai whose simple act of planting trees grew into a nationwide movement to safeguard the environment, protect human rights, and defend democracy—a movement for which this charismatic woman became an icon and an international inspiration. This film, by co-directors Alan Dater and Lisa Merton, weaves a compelling and dramatic narrative of one woman’s personal journey in the context of the turbulent political and environmental history of her country.

About the series

Athena Cinema, University Libraries, and OHIO’s Environmental Studies Program present the 11th annual Sustainability Film Series.

This year’s batch of films will be centered on reflecting the urgency of what is before us. After a decade of screening movies and hosting discussions led by experts from the OHIO student body and faculty and the Athens community detailing the problems facing the world, this semester’s focus will be on solutions.

The films will demonstrate that a collaborative approach to problem-solving — involving all members of our global community, regardless of age, ethnicity, or gender — is a necessity. Education is the first crucial step in both understanding the world’s problems and developing sustainable solutions.

Following the screening of each of these beautiful, thought-provoking, and timely films, audience members are invited to join us for a panel discussion hosted by OHIO faculty members, students, and members of the Athens community.

This screening will take place at The Ridges Auditorium located at 135 Ridges Circle.

The series is possible thanks to the support of: Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs, OHIO Honors Program, Honors Tutorial College, Cutler Scholars, Office of Sustainability, Center for Campus & Community Engagement, University College, Athens International Film and Video Festival, and beloved nonprofits and businesses.

Free admission and post-show discussion as part of the Fall Sustainability Series.

Share this Film

Click on Showtimes to Get Tickets Online
Running Time: 81 MINS81 MIN
This Film is Wheelchair Accessible

Read full story · Comments { 0 }

The Met: Live in HD: Jake Heggie’s DEAD MAN WALKING

American composer Jake Heggie’s compelling masterpiece, the most widely performed new opera of the last 20 years, sees its premiere at the Met: Live in HD in a haunting new production by Ivo van Hove. Based on Sister Helen Prejean’s memoir about her fight for the soul of a condemned murderer, Dead Man Walking matches the high drama of its subject with Heggie’s beautiful and poignant music and a brilliant libretto by Terrence McNally. Met Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin takes the podium, with mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato starring as Sister Helen. The outstanding cast also features bass-baritone Ryan McKinny as the death-row inmate Joseph De Rocher, soprano Latonia Moore as Sister Rose, and legendary mezzo-soprano Susan Graham—who sang Helen Prejean in the opera’s 2000 premiere—as De Rocher’s mother.

Due to the current repairs going on at the Athena Cinema, this program will be presented as a pre-recorded encore at the Ridges Auditorium. The screening starts at 12:55pm and is estimated to end at 4:09pm. 

Content Advisory: Dead Man Walking contains a depiction of a rape and murder, as well as other adult themes and strong language.

Admission $20 (senior $18, children $8)

OHIO Student: Free

Thanks to Arts for OHIO, we are able to offer a limited number of FREE student tickets available on first-come, first-serve basis. Must have valid student I.D.

Click here to view the rest of the Met: Live in HD schedule.

 

Special thanks to George Weckman and the following supporters:

Share this Film

Click on Showtimes to Get Tickets Online
Running Time: 194 MIN194 MIN
This Film is Wheelchair Accessible

Read full story · Comments { 0 }

From the Hills and Hollers: MATEWAN with Christy Zempter

Watch Trailer Director: John Sayles
Cast: Chris Cooper, James Earl Jones, Mary McDonnell, Will Oldham

About the film

Filmed on location in the coal country of West Virginia, “Matewan” takes the audience inside the gritty world of labor union organizing during the early part of the 20th century. Inspired by true events that took place in “Bloody Mingo” County in 1920, John Sayles’ critically-acclaimed film follows the efforts of union organizer Joe Kenehan (Chris Cooper) and scab “Few Clothes” Johnson (James Earl Jones) who join forces with the local mayor and police chief to push back against the bosses, hired thugs, and spies of the Stone Mountain Coal Company who threaten to break a strike initiated by the town’s coal miners to petition the company for fair treatment, safe working conditions, and worker’s rights.

About the speaker

Christy Zempter is an Assistant Professor of Communication at Shawnee State University and a native Appalachian. Prior to the screening, she will briefly discuss the significance of the events represented in Matewan in the context of a regional tradition of organized labor and demands for economic justice that continue today.

About the series

Due to the resounding success of the series launch during 2022-2023, we are thrilled to present the 2nd annual From the Hills and Hollers: Appalachian Film Series for 2023-2024.

The series seeks to foster a deeper connection between the Athens city and university communities and the cultural legacy of the surrounding region through films that examine the many facets, both positive and negative, of life in Appalachia. This batch of films is, in large part, the product of filmmakers who have intimate knowledge of living in this environment and, as a result, are well-suited for representing the realities of Appalachia on the big screen.

Short introduction/lectures will provide context for the film and introduce the underlying issues represented in film and other media. All events in the series are presented with free admission.

This screening will take place at the Ridges Auditorium located at 135 Ridges Circle.

This series is sponsored by the College of Health Sciences and Professions, the Department of Sociology and Anthropology in the College of Arts and Sciences, OHIO Honors Program, Center for Campus and Community Engagement, Athens County Public Libraries, University Libraries, GO Local, University College, the Center for Law, Justice, and Culture, and the Ohio Arts Council.

 

Share this Film

Click on Showtimes to Get Tickets Online
Running Time: 132 MIN132 MIN
PG-13 Rated
This Film is Wheelchair Accessible

Read full story · Comments { 0 }

The Met: Live in HD: Anthony Davis’s X: THE LIFE AND TIMES OF MALCOLM X

Anthony Davis’s groundbreaking and influential opera, which premiered in 1986, finally sees its premiere at the Met! Theater luminary and Tony-nominated director of Slave Play Robert O’Hara oversees a potent new staging that imagines Malcolm as an Everyman whose story transcends time and space. An exceptional cast of breakout artists and young Met stars enliven the operatic retelling of the civil rights leader’s life. Baritone Will Liverman, who triumphed in the Met premiere of Fire Shut Up in My Bones, sings Malcolm X, alongside soprano Leah Hawkins as his mother, Louise; mezzo-soprano Raehann Bryce-Davis as his sister Ella; bass-baritone Michael Sumuel as his brother Reginald; and tenor Victor Ryan Robertson as Nation of Islam leader Elijah Muhammad. Kazem Abdullah conducts the newly revised score, which provides a layered, jazz-inflected setting for the esteemed writer Thulani Davis’s libretto.

Due to the current repairs going on at the Athena Cinema, this program will be presented as a pre-recorded encore at the Ridges Auditorium. This screening starts at 12:55pm and is estimated to end at 4:17pm.

Admission $20 (senior $18, children $8)

OHIO Student: Free

Thanks to Arts for OHIO, we are able to offer a limited number of FREE student tickets available on first-come, first-serve basis. Must have valid student I.D.

Click here to view the rest of the Met: Live in HD schedule.

Special thanks to George Weckman and the following supporters:

Share this Film

Click on Showtimes to Get Tickets Online
Running Time: 222 MIN222 MIN
This Film is Wheelchair Accessible

Read full story · Comments { 0 }

Holiday Film Series: ELF

Watch Trailer

This event will be held at The Ridges Auditorium. See event schedule below.

About the film

Will Ferrell stars as Buddy, a regular-sized man who was raised as an elf by Santa Claus. When the news is finally broken to Buddy that he’s not a real elf, he decides to head back to his place of birth, New York City, in search of his biological family.

Schedule of Events:

12:00-3:30 Take a ride with John Hutchison and his beautiful Percheron horses. John will share information about the history of the Ridges. Just the sounds of the jingle bells and hooves on the bricks puts us in the holiday mood.

12:30 Join us for a performance from the Ohio University Trombone Choir

1:00 & 3:00 We will be screening ELF two times to ensure that everyone will have a chance to laugh out loud to this Christmas Favorite.

About the series

Athena Cinema, Arts for Ohio, Athens Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Athens Uptown Business Association present the 11th annual Holiday Film Series & Canned Food Drive!

As is tradition, admission to all Holiday Film Series showings is either a non-perishable food or cash donation supporting Athens Food Pantries. Tickets are available starting now, both in-person and online! Online purchases have the option for a cash donation.

Click here to view the other films coming to this year’s Holiday Film Series.

 

Share this Film

Click on Showtimes to Get Tickets Online
Running Time: 107 MIN107 MIN
PG Rated
This Film is Wheelchair Accessible

Read full story · Comments { 0 }