After a five-year break, the beloved Cult Cinema Club is making its long-awaited return, kicking off a new winter season this Saturday, June 28, at The Village Community Cinema in 17th Ave in Tauranga.

Curator Melanie Valli-Mills said it’s been a long time coming. The last scheduled season was cancelled in 2020 just as promotions began, when Covid-19 lockdowns brought everything to a standstill.

“It’s been on the shelf just waiting to be reactivated,” said Valli-Mills. “Cult Cinema Club was always something I wanted to bring back. When I saw the Western Bay Mini Arts grant opportunity from TECT and Creative Bay of Plenty, I decided to go all in. And here we are.”

With support from Film Bay of Plenty, The Incubator Creative Hub and Mount Brewing Co, Cult Cinema Club’s 2025 Winter Series promises four unique evenings blending cult films, street food, live music, and community spirit – all indoors to fend off the winter chill.

The first event is a screening on June 28 of Luc Besson’s sci-fi cult classic The Fifth Element’, starring Bruce Willis, Milla Jovovich, Gary Oldman and Chris Tucker. But there’s more than just a movie on offer.

Melanie Valli-Mills outside the Village Community Cinema. Photo / Brydie Thompson

From 5pm, attendees can enjoy Sicula, a Sicilian food truck serving rich Italian fare. From 5.30pm, the cinema space transforms with live music by Mr B’s Sci-Fi Circus – the ambient, electronic, low-fi blues, avant-garde guitar of multi-talented Jam Factory sound engineer Brett Williams. Meanwhile, a pop-up licensed bar and Mount Brewing Co beverages will keep things festive indoors.

At 7pm, the lights dim for an independent short film screening, a signature feature of the Cult Cinema Club. This week’s is Pleasuredora, a science fiction short by Kiwi film-makers Mark and Marion Prebble, supported by Film BOP. Then it’s on to the main event: The Fifth Element.

Valli-Mills said she had curated an eclectic winter series that appeals to fans of arthouse, cult and classic cinema. Each screening features a short film by an independent Kiwi film-maker and live musical acts to match the vibe.

Upcoming titles include Wings of Desire by Wim Wenders on July 26, with music by Sophie Maude and a short film curated by the Great Lakes Film Society in Taupō. On August 30, The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, Wes Anderson’s offbeat maritime adventure, will screen with music by Edward Gains. On September 27 it will be Romeo + Juliet, Baz Luhrmann’s explosive Shakespearean remix with live music by Frances Ellen.

Poster for 2025 winter series of Cult Cinema Club films. Photo / Supplied.

Every event is built around the club’s signature “dinner and a show” format, encouraging attendees to come early, share food and conversation, and settle in for a full evening of entertainment, Valli-Mills said.

“This isn’t just a film screening. It’s about community, connection, and creating an atmosphere. People often come in costume, they come early for the food and music – it’s a whole vibe. It’s warm, intimate and fun.”

Tickets for The Fifth Element, suitable for mature audiences only due to the licensed bar, cost $20 at: theincubator.co.nz/event-details/cult-cinema-club-the-fifth-element

Pleasuredora, at nine minutes in length, is rated M – suitable for mature audiences, sexual references; The Fifth Element, running for two hours, is rated PG – Violence.

Valli-Mills said the winter series could lead to more events in summer.

“If this resonates with people, there’s definitely potential for more.”