Hillsborough County, Fla. (May 8, 2024) - New Tampa Performing Arts Center's (NTPAC) summer film series spotlights Tampa Bay's presence in cinema. For the "Hollywood Hillsborough Film Series," NTPAC will present three movies that were filmed or set in Hillsborough County and the greater Tampa Bay area.

For only $5, audiences can enjoy these movies in NTPAC's state-of-the-art theater on select Thursday evenings at 7:30 p.m. Darrin Person, NTPAC staff member and cinema scholar, will introduce each film with interesting local lore, behind-the-scenes facts, and their ties to Tampa Bay.

Join this celebration of Tampa Bay films and see how many familiar locations and landmarks you can spot! For more information and tickets, visit NewTampaArtsCenter.org.

Cocoon on Thursday, May 23, at 7:30 p.m.
Cocoon is a 1985 Academy Award-winning science fiction fantasy film. Directed by Ron Howard, it follows a group of Florida retirees who unknowingly swim in a pool containing alien cocoons and find themselves energized with youth! The movie was famously filmed in neighboring Pinellas County with several recognizable landmarks, but one memorable scene was filmed in a former Tampa Bay nightclub! Rating: PG-13

Edward Scissorhands on Thursday, June 13, at 7:30 p.m.
Edward Scissorhands, which is described as a fantastic, modern day suburban fairy tale, was predominately filmed in Lutz. The Tim Burton classic tells the story of Edward, an artificial and unfinished humanoid who was left with scissors for hands, as he is adopted into suburban life and falls in love. Rating: PG-13

Live By Night on Thursday, July 11, at 7:30 p.m.
Directed by Ben Affleck, Live By Night is set in prohibition-era Ybor City and follows Joe Coughlin, son of a Boston police deputy who turns to a life of organized crime. He and his crew show up in Ybor City to stake a claim in the illegal rum-running business. The film's setting is not its only tie to the Tampa Bay area. Dennis Lehane, the original novel's author, was a student at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg. Rating: R

Find out more about NTPAC's upcoming events at NewTampaArtsCenter.org and on social media. Follow New Tampa Performing Arts Center on Facebook, Instagram and X at @NewTampaPAC. NTPAC is located at 8550 Hunters Village Rd., Tampa, FL 33647.