After a year’s absence, the El Paso Community Foundation Plaza Classic Film Festival will return to the Plaza Theatre this summer.
The 14th annual Plaza Classic Film Festival will be July 29-August 8 in and around the Plaza Theatre in downtown El Paso.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, last year’s Plaza Classic moved outdoors for a series of 11 pop-up drive-ins at various locations around El Paso, and five days of digitally streamed films and interviews. This year’s Plaza Classic will be more traditional, but with COVID safety protocols in place, such as mandatory mask wearing, social distancing, disinfecting, and seating capacity limits, including assigned “pod” seating to ensure physical distancing.
“It will be good to be home,” said Doug Pullen, the festival’s director and Program Director for the El Paso Community Foundation. “The Plaza Classic Film Festival was inspired by the historic Plaza Theatre. It belongs there. We’ll go out of our way to make it a memorable — and safe — experience.”
Seating capacity limits will necessitate the move from the Plaza Classic’s secondary venue, the Philanthropy Theatre, to the Abraham Chavez Theatre nearby. The same safety measures will be in use at the Chavez Theatre.
El Paso Live, which manages both theaters for the City of El Paso, has installed GPS Needlepoint Bipolar Ionization air filtration systems in both theaters. The filtration systems significantly reduce airborne particulates, pathogens, and viruses. El Paso Live recently received Star Facility accreditation from the Global Biorisk Advisory Council for its coronavirus safety protocols.
“As a long-time partner of the Plaza Classic Film Festival, El Paso Live is beyond excited to welcome this event back to our venues,” said Bryan Crowe, General Manager for El Paso Live. “The Plaza Classic Film Festival is a staple in our community and we can’t wait to welcome movie-goers in the late summer.”
More details will be announced in the near future, including movie titles, guests, ticket information and more. 2021 Plaza Classic Film Festival Passes are on sale now. Go to plazaclassic.com or its social media platforms for updates.
The Plaza Classic is accepting entries for its annual Local Flavor series, the area’s largest showcase of locally made and connected films. Entry deadline is June 14. Go to plazaclassic.com/localflavor.
