Santa Barbara film fanatics can expect a number of movie and film events this summer.

From free sci-fi movies at the courthouse to a French film festival and plenty of events in between, residents and tourists can find their film fix this summer.

Out of This World Free Film Series: Anacapa Courthouse Sunken Garden

Embrace all things space and science fiction under the stars at the Santa Barbara Courthouse every Friday night except for Aug. 4 during Old Spanish Days.

The film series started July 7 with Steven Spielberg’s “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” with approximately 1,200 people in attendance. 

The “Out of This World” theme and specific films were curated and selected by Caitlin O’Hara, director of public lectures and special initiatives at UC Santa Barbara.

Charles Donelan, senior writer and publicist for the Arts and Lectures department at UCSB, said that he’s excited to watch “Alien” and “Nope” with the community. 

“A surprising number of people have reached out to us and said how happy they are that we programmed ‘Nope’,” Donelan told Noozhawk. 

On July 14, fans can catch Ridley Scott’s 1979 “Alien,” a film in which an alien takes over a spaceship, incubating in some crew members and hunting the others. The film is rated R and is an hour and 57 minutes long. 

Tim Burton fans can check out “Mars Attacks!” On July 21. Jack Nicholson greets invaders from outer space in this PG-13 1996 sci-fi comedy. 

On July 28, Bruce Willis fans can watch 1997’s “The Fifth Element.” This PG-13 film follows a 23rd-century cabbie in New York City as he encounters an alien who can control the Earth’s elements. 

Aug. 11 is Trekkie night, during which fans can watch J.J. Abrams’ 2009’s “Star Trek.” This PG-13 adventure follows the USS Enterprise’s newest recruits as they boldly go where no one has before. 

Marvel fans can watch 2014’s “Guardians of the Galaxy” on Aug. 18. Chris Pratt stars in this PG-13 film about a group of outlaws who have to face off against an interstellar villain. 

The series concludes Aug. 25 with Jordan Peel’s 2022 film “Nope.” This R-rated horror sci-fi film follows two siblings trying to capture evidence of a UFO. 

Donelan encourages UCSB students to take advantage of the Santa Barbara Airbuses that will provide free round-trip transportation from UCSB campus to the courthouse.

Airbuses will depart from the University Plaza loop adjacent to Campbell and Cheadle halls at 7 p.m. and 7:45 p.m. and pick up from the Figueroa Street side of the courthouse. 

“It’s a great way to spend time with friends and enjoy one of the most beautiful buildings in the country,” Donelan told Noozhawk. “And also to be together outside, in the evening, in Santa Barbara is pretty special.”

The courthouse is at 1100 Anacapa St. downtown.

2023 Asian American Film Series: Alhecama Theatre 

The Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation is presenting the Asian American Film Series, a free event held each Friday in July at the Alhecama Theatre.

The series aims to explore the history and culture of Asian American communities. 

The films screening address topics such as the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II, Chinese American adoptions, and historical Asian American figures.

This is a free event with a suggested $5 donation. 

The first showing was on July 7 with the 2019 award winning documentary “Alternative Facts: The Lies of Executive Order 9066.” 

On July 14 at 6 p.m., residents can watch the 2022 documentary “Liquor Store Dreams”. After the film there will be a Q&A with director So Yun Um and producer Eddie Kim. 

“Liquor Store Dreams” is about two second-generation Korean Americans navigating their role in the American Dream and the generation gap between father and daughter. 

The 2020 documentary “The Donut King” will screen on July 21 at 6 p.m., followed by a Q&A with Producer José I. Nuñez, and Editor Carol Martori. 

“The Donut King” follows Ted Ngoy’s journey from Cambodian refugee to building a multi-million-dollar empire by baking donuts. 

The final screening will be on July 28 at 6 p.m. with the 2019 documentary “Chinatown Rising,” followed by a Q&A with Co-Director/Producer Josh Chuck and Co-Director/Producer/Director of Photography Harry Chuck. 

“Chinatown Rising” is about the Asian American Movement from the perspective of young residents as they watch historic changes throughout the neighborhood. 

The Alhecama Theatre is at 215a E. Canon Perdido St.

French Wave Film Festival: Riviera Theatre

The Santa Barbara International Film Festival’s Riviera Theatre will host 11 new French films July 14-20 for the French Wave Film Festival. 

There are two passes available for purchase now.

The Patron Pass is $250, and includes reserved seating, access to all film screenings, access to the opening night reception hosted by El Encanto, recognition on screen before each film, and a 10% discount on popcorn and soda. 

The Cinephile pass is $90, and provides access to one screening for each of the 11 films. This pass also allows access to the opening night reception at El Encanto. 

Individual tickets for each screen will be available to purchase soon, with general admissions at $12, and student and senior tickets at $9. 

The 11 films showing will be “Diary of a Fleeting Affair,” written and directed by Emmanuel Mouret; “Final Cut,” written and directed by Michel Hazana; “The Innocent,” directed by Louis Garrel; “More Than Ever,” directed by Emily Atef; “Mother and Son,” written and directed by Leonor Serraille; “The Night of the 12th,” directed by Dominik Moll; “Pacification,” written and directed by Albert Serra; “The Passengers of the Night,” directed by Mikhael Hers; “Revoir Paris,” directed by Alice Winocour; “Scarlet,” directed by Pietro Marcello; and “The Young Imam,” directed by Kim Chapiron.

The Riviera Theatre is at 2044 Alameda Padre Serra.

Santa Barbara Indie Film Fest: Alhecama Theatre

Santa Barbara celebrates two days of indie filmmaking Aug 26-27 at the Alhecama Theatre. The festival is focused on young independent filmmakers in order to give them a space to share their work. 

There are eight categories for filmmakers to submit to: narrative feature film, documentary feature film, narrative short film, documentary short film, animated short film, music video, feature length screenplay, and short story screenplay. 

There are also four youth categories, which include narrative short film, documentary short film, music video, and animated short film. 

Single-showing tickets are available for $15, one-day pass is $30, the two-day pass is $50, the filmmakers party pass is $50, and the all-access pass is $100.

The Alhecama Theatre is at 215a E. Canon Perdido St.

Free Movies in the Park: Solvang

Solvang residents and visitors can watch Steven Spielberg’s 1982 film “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial” on July 21. The film will play in Solvang Park, 1630 Mission Dr., and will start at 7:30 p.m.

Free Movies in the Park: Lompoc

There will be two free movie nights at Ryon Memorial Park this summer. “Puss in Boots” will screen Sat Jul. 22 and “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” will screen Sat. Aug. 12. Both films will begin at dusk.

Ryon Memorial Park is off West Ocean Avenue and South O Street.

An Afternoon with Ernestine de Soto: Rancho La Patera and Stow House

The Goleta Valley Historical Society is putting on a free screening of the documentary “6 Generation” at Rancho La Patera and Stow House on July 30 at 3 p.m..

Following the screening, there will be a Q&A with Ernestine de Soto, who is heavily involved in the documentary, as she tells the story of when the Spanish first arrived in Santa Barbara.

Rancho La Patera and Stow House are at 304 N. Los Carneros Road.