An open air cinema will screen family favourites and cult classics as part of the city’s fourth international film festival.

A big screen will be put up on the Abbey Orchard, by St Albans Cathedral, along with a Prosecco and Popcorn marquee and refreshment stalls for movie lovers to enjoy.

It will show sci-fi comedy The Man with Two Brains, classic Thelma and Louise, musical Blues Brothers, and action re-make King Kong: Skull Island, along with two films to be finalised - a Pixar animation and six times Oscar-nominated film.

Festival director Leoni Kibbey said the event has a reputation for innovation: “This year I am so excited to announce that we will be opening the Abbey Open Air Cinema, in the Abbey Orchard.

This will be an absolutely magical setting in which to enjoy some fantastic films, in the shadow of the stunning cathedral and we are very grateful to the cathedral for helping us to do this.”

She noted that the festival aims to create vibrant community events which celebrate talent and creativity in the world of film.

“Our cathedral is at the heart of our city and I cannot think of a better place for the community to gather over a summer weekend to enjoy some brilliant filmmaking.”

St Albans Cathedral’s Canon Kevin Walton said: “The cathedral is delighted to host and support this community event, and we wish it every success.”

The film festival will also host virtual reality at the clocktower, a drop in Mind Café, an international short film competition with all-day screening of the finalists in the Odyssey cinema, and workshops, speakers and discussions.

More than 1,500 entries from filmmakers across 40 countries entered the short film competition in the last four years and the festival’s patron is the widow of St Albans director Stanley Kubrick, Christiane Kubrick.

This year the theme is the mind, the logo is Ray the Gorilla, and it will be held from July 5 to 9.

Prices for the open air cinema are £8 or £10, visit www.stalbansfilmfestival.com for more information.