GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida Museum of Natural History visitors can enjoy extended hours and free film screenings every Friday in July for the seventh year in a row as part of the University of Florida Creative B program.

Creative B LogoStarting on July 6 with “The Dark Knight” (2008), the program allows guests to experience the cinematic side of science. The museum will host a reception at 6 p.m. for this opening screening.

Before each movie screening at 7 p.m., a panel of artists, scientists and special effects experts will discuss the science and art shown in the movie. All permanent Museum exhibits, except the “Butterfly Rainforest,” will also remain open to the public until 10 p.m. every Friday in July.

“Our panel discussions are insightful, informative and entertaining,” said Tiffany Ireland, Florida Museum educator. “The panelists have represented fields in literature, museum collections, special effects and genetics.”

This summer’s movies include bats to complement the featured exhibit “Masters of the Night: The True Story of Bats,” on display through Sept. 16. Other films include “Dracula” (1931) on July 13, “Nightwing” (1979) on July 20 and “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” (2016) on July 27.

Panelists include Brian Pope, director of the Lubee Bat Conservancy; James Coats, body armor manufacturer and engineer; Terry Harpold, a UF associate professor of English, film and media studies; Tim Lawrence, special effects artist and concept sculptor with credits including “Thriller,” “Ghostbusters,” “Jurassic Park,” and “Shrek;” and Ian Breheny, a Florida Museum exhibit designer.

“This has become a very active group of visitors,” Ireland said. “They are interested in science, movies and the science in movies. I hope they see the museum as a welcoming place to enjoy them.”

Creative B, established in 2010, is a summer campuswide program for UF students that combines the resources and skills of many university departments. Participants may attend a variety of events including cultural performances and activities.

For more information, visit www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/calendar/tag/creative-b or call 352-273-2061.

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Writer: Kelly Hayes, 352-273-2032, PRintern@flmnh.ufl.edu
Source: Tiffany Ireland, 352-273-2061, tireland@flmnh.ufl.edu
Media contact: Paul Ramey, 352-273-2054, pramey@flmnh.ufl.edu