A one-time outdoor film screening event in Fern Alley that was free and open to the public to celebrate the launch of activations in alleyways along the lower Polk Street corridor – a neighborhood experiencing population growth and home to many long standing intergenerational families, in need of open space as there are no parks within walking distance. The films screened that night were selected to highlight the importance of third spaces like Fern Alley as places for art and community: the short film “Cerebral City” directed by John Moody about Melbourne’s hidden gems, and the feature documentary “Twelve Pianos “ directed by Dean Mermell, featuring himself and Maruo Ffortissimo playing pianos in the most unexpected places.

The evening commenced with the enchanting notes of a pianist on a piano, setting the stage for a memorable celebration of community, art, and the transformative potential of shared spaces in the heart of the lower Polk Street corridor.