Coca-Cola Summer Film Festival Opening Night Announced

The Fox Theatre invites Atlantans to take a break from the heat with a FREE afternoon at the movies! Guests will enjoy a screening of Walt Disney's Steamboat Willie as well as the Southeast Emmy award-winning documentary The Legend Lives On: Atlanta's Fox Theatre on Sunday, July 16 at 2 p.m. to kick off the 2017 Coca-Cola Summer Film Festival.

While event tickets are free, guests MUST reserve tickets at the Fox Theatre ticket office or at foxtheatre.org. Please note: ticketing fees are applied only when reserving online. Seating is first come, first serve. There is a limit of six (6) tickets per person and everyone must have a ticket, including infants.

Audiences will step into history, as the afternoon's festivities harken back to the celebrated 1929 grand opening. Modern day guests will have a blast from the past as they cheer on Walt Disney's Mickey Mouse in his first feature film, Steamboat Willie, and then applaud the return of the Sunkist Beauties dancing troupe as they take the stage accompanied by Rick McGee on the Mighty Mo organ. In celebration of the Fox Theatre's rich and storied history, audiences will also enjoy a screening of the Southeast Emmy award-winning documentary The Legend Lives On: Atlanta's Fox Theatre immediately afterwards with an exclusive post-screening Q&A panel discussion.

Moderated by Atlanta Film Society's Executive Director, Chris Escobar, panelists will include Fox Theatre's President and CEO Allan Vella, as well as The Legend Lives On's Don Smith (Producer/Director) and Lisa Clark (Producer/Writer). Guests will get a behind-the-scenes glimpse from the filmmakers about how they were able to capture the beautiful and rich history of the Fox into a 60-minute television presentation. Click here to see the bios of all the panel participants.

The Legend Lives On: Atlanta's Fox Theatre reveals the story of the building itself - as it is just as entertaining as one of the many shows the theatre hosts. With a plotline that includes escaping financial ruin and characters like Mighty Mo - one of the largest Moller Pipe Organs in existence - the chronicle of the Fox Theatre only adds to its allure. Created and produced in conjunction with GPB, "The Legend Lives On" recently won three Southeast Emmy awards - Audio (Post Production), Director (Non-Live), Editor (Non-News).

As an ode to the Sunkist Beauties, Dance Canvas dancers will perform "I Want to be Happy." The number is choreographed by Angela Harris, Dance Canvas artistic director. Dancers include Neiya Amezquita, Elizabeth Chapman, Cara Collier, Heather Hatzenbuhler, Tyla Howell, Eliza Krakower, Samantha Miller, Katie Nesbitt, Rebekah Pleasant, Maggie McCowen, Aba Thomas, and Christina Weinzetl. Celebrating its 10th anniversary season, Dance Canvas has premiered 82 new works by emerging professional choreographers, presented over 200 professional dancers, performed for more than 10,000 Atlanta audiences, and worked hands-on with over 1,000 Atlanta area students through our outreach efforts and youth programs.

After the July 16 public kick-off, the 2017 Coca-Cola Summer Film Festival continues with the highly anticipated paid showings of Casablanca (75th anniversary), Mary Poppins Sing-a-Long, popular Saturday AM Cartoons, marathon of all eight Harry Potter films throughout August, and the festival's closing afternoon screening of 1991's Beauty and the Beast Sing-a-Long edition. Select showings offer pre-showing access to the Fox Theatre's Movie Tours, which take patrons on a guided tour throughout the project booth, screening room, celebrity dressing rooms, and the iconic Fox Theatre stage - all while learning about the history of movie palaces and Mr. William Fox's innovations. Prices vary and to purchase tickets for movies or tours, please visit FoxTheatre.org or call 885-285-8499.

For more information on the Coca-Cola Summer Film Festival or the Fox Theatre, please visit FoxTheatre.org.

About the Fox Theatre

The Fox Theatre is one of Atlanta's premier venues for live entertainment and declared a Top Stop of the Decade by Venues Today Magazine and the #1 non-residency venue worldwide for the decade by Billboard Magazine. For the past decade, the Fox Theatre has been consistently ranked in the top three non-residency theatres in North America for gross ticket sales by industry trade magazines, Pollstar, Billboard and Venues Today. The Fox Theatre has the #1 social media presence for any theatre or performing arts center in North America, for any venue between 2,000 and 5,000 seats, and for any Georgia venue according to the Social Media Power 100 compiled by Venues Today Magazine. The Fox's 4,665 seat theatre hosts 250 performances with more than 500,000 visitors per year. An impressive range of events from rock concerts to Broadway, ballets, comedy and movies, the Fox's private events host wedding receptions, trade shows, corporate meetings and association functions in its fabulous ballrooms, lounge and outdoor terrace. As a 501(c) 3 non-profit arts organization, the Fox Theatre stands today as a fiercely protected landmark and a nationally acclaimed theater celebrating its 88th year. The partners of the Fox Theatre are Delta Air Lines, Coca-Cola, Lexus, Georgian Terrace Hotel/Livingston Restaurant+Bar, Georgia Natural Gas, Regions, Atlanta Beverage, Grady Health System, and Whole Foods Market. For group sales information, please contact the Fox Theatre at (404) 881-2000 or visit www.foxtheatre.org. To purchase tickets, please visit the Fox Theatre Ticket Office, online at www.FoxTheatre.org, and at all Atlanta Ticket Alternative locations including Whole Foods Markets, or toll free at 855-285-8499. Please stay connected with the Fox Theatre on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

About Fox Theatre Tours

Take a guided tour back to 1929 and the golden era of the movie palace at the Fox Theatre. Experience a magic carpet ride through ancient Egypt and the Middle East, all while learning about the largest movie palace in the Southeast. Be swept away into a world of Elvis Presley and the Rolling Stones, a world of Atlanta citizens rising up and saving a landmark from the wrecking ball, all from under the twinkling stars and fluffy clouds. After an hour's journey, return to the keepsake filled Fox Gift Shop and come make your memory at Atlanta's memory-maker. Find specific tour times and purchase tickets at www.FoxTheatre.org or call 855-285-8499 or at the Fox Theatre ticket office. To inquire about booking a special tour, please contact the theatre at (404) 881-2100.