Cinespia/Kelly Lee Barrett
The iconic outdoor film series continues its summer screenings with a Pride Month celebration.
By Dolores Quintana
Cinespia, the longest-running outdoor film series in LA, has three new screenings for June, including two Pride month screenings of powerful film classics taking us back to high school in the 1980s, to one of cinema’s greatest years with the cyberpunk movie that blew the world’s mind in 1999, and 2001, with the film adaptation of a genderqueer Broadway musical sensation.
Feast your eyes on the descriptions of each experience:
“Saturday, June 6 — Fast Times at Ridgemont High at Hollywood Forever Cemetery
Hey bud, let’s party! Summer gets hot and heavy with this ‘80s comedy classic about teens putting their best-laid plans (and hormones) to the test. Lust is a battlefield, the mall is a proving ground, and between first jobs, first loves, and Mr. Hand, everyone’s just trying to make it to the next period in one piece. Featuring a hall-of-fame lineup, Sean Penn, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Phoebe Cates, Judge Reinhold, and Forest Whitaker, director Amy Heckerling’s debut is hot, horny, and unexpectedly heartfelt, powered by Cameron Crowe’s too-real screenplay. DJs spin the hits for anyone raised on the radio. The Beer and Wine Bar is ready to give you a cool buzz, and our Free Photobooth will have you saying “aloha” in no time.”
“Saturday, June 13 — The Matrix (Pride Month Screening) at Hollywood Forever Cemetery
Take a chill pill and plug into the back-bending, time-warping, mind-melting cyberpunk game-changer. The Wachowskis didn’t just ask “What is the Matrix?”—they made a masterwork that’s part riddle, part manifesto, and completely engrossing. Trench coats and sunglasses never looked this cool. Free your mind and let us take care of the rest: DJ sets, concessions, snacks, beer and wine bar, and a Free Photobooth that’ll take you down the digital rabbit hole.”
The Matrix is the first Pride Month screening in June, as it was created by the Wachowski Sisters, Lana and Lilly.
“Saturday, June 20 — Hedwig and the Angry Inch (Pride Month Screening) at Hollywood Forever Cemetery
Pride Month Screening! Wig out for the queer punk masterpiece that’s unapologetically rowdy and proves gender is a drag. The origin of love is a wonderland of crunchy glam rawk, glitter, and one angry inch. Internationally ignored superstar Hedwig spills the sordid deets of fame, betrayal, and a little bit of unfinished business. Join the kewl kids of summer for a night of queer stardom and a cult classic that’s outlandish, opulent, and open-hearted. We’re your sugar daddies with concessions, candies, treats, and surprises throughout the night. Bring your other half to a screening and after-party, sure to ignite this wicked little town.”
As always, the screening series is presented by Amazon MGM Studios and Prime Video and is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2026, so this year is going to be one for the books.
In addition to all of the fun of the beer and wine bar, the concessions, the beloved photobooth, ready to take pictures of your stylish cinema wear, and DJs spinning music, Cinespia has partnered this year with See’s Candies to celebrate See’s 105th anniversary with a candy box that will only be available at Cinespia screenings. Mmm, candy. This is just the beginning of Cinespia’s season of cinema, so stay tuned for further updates about upcoming screenings, and you can purchase tickets at www.cinespia.org.