Family movie nights a big hit

Katanning's Dramatic Society and the Shire of Katanning have been co-operating to bring family movie nights back to town - and the events are steadily gaining popularity.

After the town's cinema closed a few years back, the Katanning Dramatic Society identified there was no longer the opportunity for people to see movies, so they took it upon themselves to investigate what would be needed to show movies, and if there was the capacity to screen them in the Town Hall.

According to the Society's Robert Godfrey, the Town Hall showed movies in the past.

"Technology had moved on greatly since those days and movies didn't need to be projected from the bio box, but could be done digitally via rear-screen projection," he said.

"That is why the screen has a grey colour to it and not the usual white you see with many screens, but it can also be front-projected if you wish to do so.

"When we realised that we could do it, we applied to Lotterywest who were kind and gave us a grant to purchase the screen and projection equipment."

The Society has been working closely with the Shire's youth development officer Ziagul Sultani to put on free movie nights as part of the school holiday programs.

The Shire arranges the hall, supplies the movie and promotes the event, while the Society supplies and sets up the screen, projection and sound system, and runs the movie.

Four free film nights have been held at the hall, and the Lego Movie, held last Friday evening had the highest turnout yet with about 150 people.

"We are hoping to continue with the free movie nights into the future and encourage all to come along," Mr Godfrey said.