This summer, Austin's iconic Paramount Theatre is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its popular Summer Classic Film Series, with a slate of special programming and other festivities. Those include events from May through September and a permanent installation honoring a local filmmaker.

The Paramount has been an Austin film hub since 1915, hosting early silent films and Paramount studio premieres. In 1975, the Summer Classic Film Series began, screening classics and hosting events.

While the Paramount Theatre now hosts a diverse array of entertainment including comedy, music, and theater, the Summer Classic Film Series remains a beloved tradition and marks the venue as an important destination for movie lovers in Austin.

“We're looking forward to capturing stories and memories that people have of seeing movies at the Paramount,” says Stephen Jannise, director of film programming and content strategy, in an email to CultureMap. “A lot of people say that [some] of their favorite movies are ones that they saw for the first time in the Summer Classic Film Series. There's something about that experience that stays with people.”

Kicking off this year’s events is a major milestone: the unveiling of the latest star on the Paramount's Avenue of Stars, honoring director Robert Rodriguez. The ceremony will celebrate Rodriguez's contributions to Austin film.

Austin has been crucial to Rodriguez's filmmaking career from his days at UT Austin, where he penned his first feature film, El Mariachi. The movie won the Sundance Audience Award for Best Dramatic Film. In 2000, Rodriguez and Elizabeth Avellan started the Austin-based Troublemaker Studios, which has advanced film technology through movies like Alita: Battle Angel and helped make Austin a center of movie production.

“All of those artists out there really are meaningful to us, and to our history, and our story," says Jannise, "but also to the story of Austin. It's really cool to have created this Walk of Fame on Congress Avenue, where we have a space to acknowledge and celebrate all of them. Robert will be the first filmmaker joining the names there.”

Can’t wait until May to get your movie fix? Leading up to summer, the Paramount launches its "Loves Me, Loves Me Not" February miniseries with romantic films like Romeo + Juliet and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. The full schedule for the Summer Classic Film Series will be announced soon. Other events are listed at austintheatre.org.

  

Photo by Rachel Parker, courtesy of Paramount Theater

Director Robert Rodriguez will be honored with his own star on the Avenue of Paramount Stars this summer