EAST VILLAGE — A local film series featuring movies handpicked by celebrities like James Franco and Billy Joel is adding food to its lineup this week, with treats from five neighborhood restaurants.
Films in Tompkins, which has been screening free movies at Tompkins Square Park for the past three years, will hold its first-ever food fair before showing Roman Polanski’s 1974 film “Chinatown” Thursday night, the organizers announced.
Moviegoers can pick up sandwiches, snacks and drinks from Caracas Arepa Bar, Luke’s Lobster, GG’s, Boulton & Watt and Ducks Eatery before the movie starts at sundown, organizers said. The food vendors will be open from 5 to 8 p.m. and located just outside the park on Avenue A.
"As a restaurant owner in the neighborhood, I always wanted to do some sort of food festival associated with the parks,” said Films in Tompkins founder Darin Rubbell, who also owns Boulton & Watt.
“Permitting has always been a challenge, but I was able to get the permits this year and wanted to give other restaurants in the neighborhood the opportunity to participate with Boulton & Watt."
This year, the annual outdoor film series features four movies selected by celebrities with ties to the city. Along with Franco and Joel, Matthew Broderick and Christie Brinkley each chose a movie for the series.
Thursday’s pick, “Chinatown” — which stars Jack Nicholson, Faye Dunaway and John Huston — was chosen by Franco, organizers said.