Silents Synced, a new shared experience matching up classic silent films with classic rock albums specifically designed for independent movie theaters, kicks off with Radiohead (Amnesiac / Kid A) paired with Nosferatu on Friday, October 4th nationwide.

Silents Synced is the brain child of Josh Frank, founder of Blue Starlite, an independent boutique drive-in cinema founded in Austin in 2009. This alternative content event cinema series screenings will be distributed via a partnership with CineLife Entertainment, a division of Spotlight Cinema Networks, which are now booking exclusively to independent indoor and drive-in cinema networks domestically.

Already signed on to be a part of Silents Synced next year are such influential groups as They Might Be Giants, Pearl Jam, Pixies and Amon Tobin with R.E.M. paired with Buster Keaton’s Sherlock, Jr. slated for February 2025. Silents Synced creator Josh Frank said, “This is a strategic format to draw new audiences to cinemas for a communal music experience like no other.”

This event cinema concept is in direct response to the incredible surge of attendance and interest in drive-in theaters during the pandemic in addition to addressing the ongoing important conversation exploring how cinemas can expand their audiences through exciting innovations in alternative content.

“The guys thought it seems like a good idea and they like the uncanny way their music and Buster Keaton’s Sherlock, Jr., match up — kind of perfect. What a great and unlikely way of presenting great art,” stated Bertis Downs, Manager for R.E.M.

Frank continued, “The question for independent theater operators has become what can we do to inspire people to leave their homes outside of Hollywood blockbusters films? While traditional moviegoers will always be our lifeblood, music fans will go to greater lengths for a shared experience. They are a fundamentally new audience for us all.”

Blue Starlite initiated conversations with the management of these artists to reimagine these timeless silent films with their seminal albums and other selections from their catalogues in direct response to the influx of home streaming habits and options and a desire to create a completely new cinematic experience.

“We’re thrilled to be a partner in distributing because we believe in the power of event cinema combined – This is a concept that will appeal to multiple generations of current patrons, as well as music fans,” said CineLife Entertainment’s EVP, Bernadette McCabe.

About Blue Starlite Entertainment
Blue Starlite Entertainment is the content division of Austin’s Blue Starlite Drive-in—the world’s first mini urban drive-in movie theater, established in 2009 and now operating multiple locations in Austin and remotely on occasion. NBC News has referred to it as the “drive-in of the future,” offering a nostalgic drive-in movie experience in an urban setting with modern amenities. Condé Nast named it “One of the world’s coolest outdoor movie theaters.”

And it was featured in the November 2020 GQ list of “7 business’s helping the world stay sane during the pandemic”. Whereas other modern drive-ins are sprawling, rural affairs, Blue Starlite is designed to offer a boutique atmosphere in the center of the city. The drive-in features authentic, hand-picked concessions and real drive-in movie speakers, as well as a grassed park area for fans to relax and watch their favorite movie. Blue Starlite Entertainment is run by Blue Starlite’s CEO and creator Josh Frank, based in Austin.