Free-B Film Festival returns to Victoria park with moon men and monsters
Published 5:30 am Sunday, July 12, 2026
An invasion of sorts begins this August as Victoria’s Free-B Film Festival returns to Beacon Hill Park with six free nights of cult classics, fantasy adventures and B-movie treasures.
The festival takes place Friday and Saturday evenings at the Cameron Bandshell from Aug. 7 to 22. With a six-week serial starting at 8:30 each night ahead of the feature film.
Long before binge-watching existed, movie serials kept audiences coming back week after week to discover what happened next. This year’s Free-B Film Festival revives that tradition.
“In true B fashion and a way to pay homage to how theatres used to be run with serials before the feature, Radar Men from the Moon will play before each feature film from 8:30 to 9 p.m. If you come to all six films, you’ll see the whole series. But as always, our tradition is about having cinema lovers enjoy a classic film under the stars together,” program manager Mark Hoyne said.
Before each feature, audiences will be treated to two thrilling chapters of the 1952 science-fiction serial that follows Commando Cody as he battles an invasion from the moon.
“At Free-B every year, we aim to have something in the lineup for everyone. This year’s film lineup takes audiences to fantasy worlds, classic road trips, alien invasions, and my personal favourite from Riverdale to NYC.”
Aug. 7 features Labyrinth (1986): David Bowie leads this cherished fantasy adventure that is celebrating its 40th anniversary. Audiences can enjoy the comedy classic featuring late Canadian legend John Candy Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987) on Aug. 8. The weekend of Aug. 14 and 15 showcases The Last Man on Earth (1964) where Vincent Price stars in a pioneering post-apocalyptic thriller on the Friday, and Saturday airs Stardust (2007), a magical quest packed with romance, pirates and an all-star cast including Robert De Niro, Michelle Pfeiffer, Claire Danes and Ian McKellen.
Aug. 21 features I Married a Monster from Outer Space (1958) – a classic B-movie blending of alien invasion, suspense and Cold War paranoia. The next night is a little more fun with the cult favourite pop satire Josie and the Pussycats (2001).
About the Author: Christine van Reeuwyk
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