See movies on the water with Austin's Blue Starlite

A movie on Lady Bird Lake — why not?

Blue Starlite Mini Urban Drive-In recently announced a few new projects, including two aquatic cinema experiences, which will bring "classic and new art house cinema to Austin's waterfront."

A weekly screening series starting Aug. 25 will put movie-goers on a waterfront platform with a 20-foot movie screen and city views. There also will be options to paddle in on your own kayak, paddle board or canoe. Ticket packages will cost $20-$40 a person.

Then there is a new monthly "Capital Cruise Cinema" series starting Aug. 31. Movie-goers will watch a film on the upper deck of a boat on Lady Bird Lake. Tickets cost $35-$60 a person.

Both waterfront series are collaborations between Blue Starlite and Capital Cruises, and they're at the latter's lakeside spot, 208 Barton Springs Road. Private rentals for both experiences will be available, too.

And there's more on the horizon for Blue Starlite. The drive-in is launching a residency for Hyperreal Film Club, starting the first week of September. The new "Courtyard Cinema" takes inspiration from open-air cinemas in Europe.

“Hyperreal Film Club is excited to partner with the iconic Blue Starlite to give Austin moviegoers an atmospheric movie-watching experience at their new Courtyard Cinema featuring Hyperreal-curated rare and beloved classics paired with local short films,” Jenni Kaye, Hyperreal Film Club co-founder, said in a statement.

Check out the film series on a 22-foot screen on Friday and Saturday nights starting Sept. 2 at 1807 EM Franklin Ave., a block away from Blue Starlite's main East Austin location. The first flicks on the schedule: "Pee-wee's Big Adventure" and "But I'm a Cheerleader."

Go to bluestarlitedrivein.com for tickets and more information.

Austin Film Festival to honor Stephen Merchant, Dede Gardner

Austin Film Festival & Writers Conference is gearing up for its 2022 event, and they recently announced the recipients of two big awards. Stephen Merchant will receive the outstanding television writer award, and Dede Gardner will get the Polly Platt Award for Producing.

Merchant, whom you might recognize for his onscreen performances in everything from "Jojo Rabbit" to "Logan," also co-created the original British "The Office" and "Extras." He's won an Emmy, a Peabody, two Golden Globes and three BAFTAs, among other honors. Merchant is now creator, executive producer, writer, director and star of the BBC/Amazon show “The Outlaws.”

Oscar winner Gardner, also co-president of production company Plan B Entertainment, has produced movies like "Minari," "If Beale Street Could Talk," "Moonlight," "The Big Short," "Selma," Austinite Terrence Malick's "The Tree of Life" and many more projects across film and TV. Filmmaker Sarah Polley will present the Polly Platt Award to Gardner.

Both Merchant and Gardner will participate in the conference and festival, which takes place Oct. 27 through Nov. 3. Get a badge at austinfilmfestival.com.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Austin's Blue Starlite brings movies to Lady Bird Lake