The Mansfield Armchair Cinema will host its very first Classic Movie Festival later this month, with a different iconic film screening daily from 26 to 29 August 2025.

The event will showcase a curated line-up of beloved films including Casablanca, Rear Window, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, and Singin’ in the Rain.

Karen Oliver, Marketing and Training Manager at Mansfield Armchair Cinema, said the idea for the festival had been in discussion for some time.

"We have been tossing it around for a long time about screening the good old classic movies—they certainly don’t make them like that anymore, which is a shame," Ms Oliver said.

"We were approached by a community member who, like himself, has a lot of friends who wanted to watch the old movies on a big screen.

"So we had a chat with them and now we have our first Classic Film Festival."

Ms Oliver said choosing which films to screen was no easy task.

"It was so hard to choose—so many great classic movies," she said.

"We had to have Audrey Hepburn, and when you think ‘classic,’ everyone thinks of Casablanca.

"Rear Window was chosen for famous director Alfred Hitchcock, and finally, we needed a musical—Singin’ in the Rain was most popular."

The festival will conclude on a high note with live music at the Luna Bar, featuring local performer Wayne Anderson from 5 to 7pm, singing songs from yesterday to tie in with the week of classics.

Ms Oliver said the festival is about more than just nostalgia.

"Pure enjoyment is what we are looking for," she said.

"We don’t always have to screen the latest blockbuster movies—we can screen what our community wants.

"It is, after all, a community cinema, built by the community for the community."

"It’s a chance for community members to get out and come along, escape their everyday life and boost their mental health.

"We all know that movies are good for you—it has been proven through numerous studies," she added, referencing cinema therapy research by Birgit Wolz, PhD.

Looking ahead, Ms Oliver said the cinema hopes the festival becomes a regular fixture.

"We certainly hope it goes well," she said.

"From this we want to have a monthly Classic Movie Club.

"Members will help us to decide which classic we will screen next."

For more details or to get involved, visit www.the-mac.com.au or find Mansfield Armchair Cinema on Facebook.