On Sunday, Premier Daniel Andrews announced entertainment venues including cinemas, theatres and museums could reopen to up to 20 people per space.
From 11.59 pm on November 22, that number will increase to up to 100 people, in groups of up to 20 and with a density cap of one person per four square metres.
Village Entertainment chief executive officer Kirk Edwards thanked those who had supported the cinemas during eight months in the dark, and welcomed the return of thousands of cinema staff Victoria-wide.
“As a Melbourne-based business, proudly operating in Victoria since 1954, the Village Entertainment team is delighted to be able to be part of the state’s recovery,” he said.
Mr Edwards said after months of isolation, he couldn't wait for people to reconnect over an evening out at the cinema.
“An escape to the world of movies is something that so many of us need right now and I am so appreciative to be able to share the magic of the movies with Victorians once again,” he said.
Cinema-goers can expect to see blockbuster films that have been previously released in other states, such as Christopher Nolan’s Tenet, Trolls: World Tour, Unhinged and the Australian flick Rams.
Tickets for the year’s biggest films — including Peter Rabbit 2, horror comedy Freaky, The Croods: A New Age and Wonder Woman 1984 — will be on sale in the coming weeks.
We asked Shepparton residents what they were most excited to see.
Local film "expert" and News reporter Charmayne Allison said she was looking forward to seeing legendary filmmaker Christopher Nolan's latest release, Tenet.
“I've been looking forward to his latest release ever since Inception and Interstellar, which were mind-blowing movies,” she said.
Gayle Dodgshun and Tom Crow were eagerly waiting for the new Bond film, No Time To Die, to be released in 2021.
Michael Landy was most excited about the new Ghostbusters flick, Afterlife.
And Kylie Parsons was keeping it old-school — hanging out for Top Gun: Maverick to be released next winter.
But film-goers can expect the cinematic experience to look a little different to what they were used to.
New health and safety measures implemented with the Victorian Government and the Department of Health and Human Services will require all movie-goers to wear a mask unless consuming food or drink.
Social distancing measures will be in place in foyers, restrooms and cinemas, with additional signage.
Special seating inside Shepparton's screenings, some of which would usually hold up to 200 people, will account for safe distances between customers, capped at 20, until restrictions further ease in late November.
Hand sanitiser will be available throughout the cinema, with rigorous cleaning protocols in place.
Sessions will be available to book online from today.
Food and drink is also encouraged to be purchased online in advance of screenings, due to limited capacity in foyers.
To stay up-to-date and book tickets, head to villagecinemas.com.au
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