Special Events
Minnesota Mean – Presented with Des Moines Roller Derby
- Tue, May 27
Director: Dawn Mikkelson Run Time: 81 min. Release Year: 2023
It's now or never.
Paris Is Burning — A Pride Kickoff Extravaganza
- Thu, May 29
Director: Jennie Livingston Run Time: 78 min. Release Year: 1991
Starring: Dorian Corey, Octavia St. Laurent, Pepper LaBeija, Venus Xtravaganza, Willi Ninja
Join us at Varsity Cinema on Thursday, May 29 at 7 PM for a special Pride Month kickoff screening of PARIS IS BURNING! Meet local community organizations and serve looks inspired by iconic movie characters as we celebrate each other and self-expression.
Better Cities Film Festival with Q&A and Panel Discussion
- Sat, Jun 7
Run Time: 117 min.
Join us for a best-of-show screening of the Better Cities Film Festival! BCFF showcases short documentary films profiling...
National Theatre Live: Dr. Strangelove
- Sun, Jun 8
Director: Sean Foley Run Time: 150 min. Release Year: 2025
Starring: Giles Terera, John Hopkins, Oliver Alvin-Wilson, Penny Ashmore, Steve Coogan
Seven-time BAFTA Award-winner Steve Coogan plays four roles in the world premiere stage adaptation of Stanley Kubrick’s comedy...
The Birdcage
- Tue, Jun 10
- Sat, Jun 14
Director: Mike Nichols Run Time: 119 min. Release Year: 1996
Starring: Dan Futterman, Dianne Wiest, Gene Hackman, Nathan Lane, Robin Williams
Come as you are.
Daddyfest: Mamma Mia! with Audience Interaction
- Sun, Jun 15
Director: Phyllida Lloyd Run Time: 108 min. Release Year: 2008
Starring: Amanda Seyfried, Colin Firth, Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan, Stellan Skarsgård
A mother. A daughter. Three possible fathers. A trip down the aisle you'll never forget.
The Empire Strikes Back with Audience Interaction
- Tue, Jun 17
Director: Irvin Kershner Run Time: 124 min. Release Year: 1980
Starring: Anthony Daniels, Billy Dee Williams, Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill
The Star Wars saga continues.
Mausoleum – Presented with The Fright Zone Podcast
- Thu, Jun 26
Thu, Jun 26 @ 10:00 pm: Commemorative giveaways for the first 50 attendees!
Director: Michael Dugan Run Time: 97 min. Release Year: 1983
Starring: Bobbie Bresee, LaWanda Page, Marjoe Gortner, Maurice Sherbanee, Norman Burton
Centuries of Evil Have Just Awakened.
Faust – Silent Film with Live Metal Score
- Sun, Jun 29
Director: F. W. Murnau Run Time: 116 min. Release Year: 1926 Language: German
Starring: Camilla Horn, Emil Jannings, Frida Richard, Gösta Ekman, William Dieterle
Live doom-metal score to the silent classic.
National Theatre Live: Hamlet
- Sun, Jul 6
Director: Lyndsey Turner, Robin Lough Run Time: 217 min. Release Year: 2015
Starring: Anastasia Hille, Benedict Cumberbatch, Ciarán Hinds, Jim Norton, Sian Brooke
As a country arms itself for war, a family tears itself apart. Forced to avenge his father’s death...
Goodbye, Mr. Chips in Partnership with the Des Moines Metro Opera
- Sat, Jul 12
- Fri, Jul 18
Sat, Jul 12 @ 1:00 pm: Des Moines Metro Opera and Des Moines Film are excited to present two screenings of Goodbye, Mr. Chips, a new opera reimagined for film by Gordon Getty. Fri, Jul 18 @ 1:00 pm: Des Moines Metro Opera and Des Moines Film are excited to present two screenings of Goodbye, Mr. Chips, a new opera reimagined for film by Gordon Getty.
Run Time: 115 min. Release Year: 2021
Starring: Kevin Short, Lester Lynch, Marnie Breckenridge, Nathan Granner, Walter Brown
This event is partnership with Des Moines Metro Opera and Varsity Cinema. Enjoy an exclusive filmed introduction by...