Theaters Present Cans Film Festival

Brad Pitt, George Clooney and Richard Gere will be donating an evening for charity at several Act III movie theaters in Spokane and Coeur d’Alene on Thursday.

Well, sort of. They won’t actually be here, you see, but movies they are starring in will be. Act III theaters will present the 17th annual Cans Film Festival in conjunction with the Spokane and Coeur d’Alene food banks.

Here’s how it works. For one night only, admission to several movies will be set at three or more non-perishable food items per person, which will be donated to the food banks.

In addition to free admission, the donated food will earn a free child-size popcorn.

Spokane theaters participating in the festival are the Newport Highway, North Division, Lyons Avenue, Fox, East Sprague, and Lincoln Heights cinemas. Even the new theater at the Spokane Valley Mall is getting into the act, so now may be a good time to check it out if you haven’t already.

The Showboat and Coeur d’Alene cinemas in Coeur d’Alene will also join the effort.

The movies include “Red Corner,” “Seven Years in Tibet,” “A Fairy Tale,” “Switchback,” “Devil’s Advocate,” “The Peacemaker” and “The Game.”

Last year’s festival gathered nearly 17,000 pounds of food in Spokane and 3,400 pounds in Coeur d’Alene. The collection of food is sorely needed for the upcoming holiday season.

“We’re in the top five as far as their (the food bank) drives go,” says Chuck Caraway, Act III’s regional manager.