Tauranga waterfront's first outdoor cinema is launching tonight with the premiere viewing of New Zealand's own iconic film Boy.

Night Owl Cinema is teaming up with The Little Big Markets to provide a lively, community-focused event launching at The Edgewater Fan on The Strand tonight.

The Night Owl Cinema and Little Big Markets will be at Edgewater Fan tonight.

Set in the Bay of Plenty, organiser of Night Owl Cinema Kim Cleland says the film Boy is appropriate for the opening night as it is a New Zealand film, set, filmed and directed by Kiwis. Kim is also hoping to recruit someone involved in the film to attend the screening.

'We hope to make the launch event a bit special with entertainment and atmosphere. Everyone can come along and we'll make a night of it.”

The film, on a big screen set up on the stage next to the kiosk opposite Starbucks, will begin as darkness falls. But beforehand, families and friends can enjoy the sights and sounds of The Little Big Markets.

Scattered food stalls, fashions, and arts and crafts will be on display in a market-style atmosphere, which Kim hopes will bring the crowds to the waterfront.

'People can bring down their bean bags and something to sit on. It's something a little different; we're doing it for the community and hopefully people will get behind it.”

Entry to the event, which can host about 200 people, is by gold coin donation to cover costs; and popcorn sold at the event will go towards helping local organisations and clubs. Urban Dance Trust will be the first sweet and salty sellers raising money on opening night.

The inaugural Night Owl Cinema will continue through the summer season with people asked to vote for their favourite film to screen on January 17. And it won't be an easy decision with four classic films – ‘Fame', ‘Jesus Christ Superstar', ‘The Sound of Music', and ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show' – to choose from.

'Deciding on the films was the hardest part,” says Kim, who is hoping people will get behind the initiative and vote for their favourite.

The idea of the Night Owl Cinema has been in production for the last year, after Kim and her friend Naomi Reece attended an open outdoor film at Silo Park in Auckland.

'It's something I would want to go to; and it's a way of activating public spaces for the community's use.”

Arts Kitchen Trust is supporting the event with grant funding from Tauranga City Council and Creative Communities.

Night Owl Cinema dates:

November 15 – ‘Boy'

December 21 – ‘Home Alone' (coincides with The Little Big Market's Christmas Market at Blake Park).

January 17 – People's Choice film.

February 14 – ‘The Princess Bride'

March 13 – ‘Carving the Future'

To vote for your favourite film for the People's Choice January 17 showing, see the story on sunlive.co.nz or go to: http://www.thelittlebigmarkets.co.nz/peoples_choice