Creative Ape Outdoor Cinema’s New Season at Lagos Marina
As the warm summer evenings return, this season’s outdoor cinema events have just been announced, offering a truly unforgettable way to spend a summer night. For 2026, Creative Ape will be offering the same sensational screenings under the stars, but with different owners.
The company is now spearheaded by local residents Chris and Gaby Welch, who traded 15-year careers aboard international superyachts to foster community connections here in the Algarve. Leaving the yachting world behind was no small step. As Chief Officer and Chief Stewardess aboard a 170-foot yacht, Chris and Gaby had built successful international careers, travelling the world and experiencing life at sea at the very highest level. But with a growing family came the desire for a different kind of lifestyle, one rooted in community, creativity, and connection.
Following a chance meeting with previous owner Tom Longhurst, Chris quickly became fascinated by the concept. Wanting to learn more, he spent time working alongside Tom and Steve during the previous summer season. “It became obvious very quickly that this was much more than just showing films,” says Chris. “It was a business that genuinely brought people together and created memorable experiences for families, friends, and holidaymakers. That sense of community was something that really mattered to me.”
Now taking ownership of the business, Chris hopes to continue building on previous successes by expanding the number of venues and creating even more unforgettable events across the region. Recent highlights have already included a special beach screening in Praia da Luz, giving guests the chance to enjoy cinema in one of the Algarve’s most spectacular settings.
Regular screenings are held at the Lagos Marina, providing an ideal setting for audiences to enjoy films under the stars. With a massive 12-metre airscreen, state-of-the-art immersive headphones, and 200 comfortable seats, guests can relax in the chill-out area with pre-movie drinks, popcorn, and snacks. The June 2026 lineup is packed with beloved blockbusters, including Footloose, Top Gun: Maverick, and the crowd-favourite Mamma Mia. Because all films are screened in English with Portuguese subtitles, the event remains inclusive and culturally engaging for both locals and holidaymakers.
While every screening promises a fantastic night, we particularly want to highlight The Bromley Boys on 12 June. Long-time readers may recall our exclusive feature, “The Bromley Boy Comes to the Algarve”, which explored the fascinating background of the film’s producer and actor, TJ Herbert. Herbert has been visiting the Algarve for 26 years and ultimately relocated to Lagos with his family just prior to the lockdown.
Through his production company, Itchy Fish, Herbert spent seven years getting his adaptation of Dave Roberts’ book to the screen. The touching, laugh-out-loud coming-of-age comedy follows a 15-year-old devoted to Britain’s worst non-league football team in the 1960s. It boasts a stellar British cast, alongside TJ himself, who plays the quirky golden-goal ticket seller, Tesco Roy.
The football-themed comedy also stars Martine McCutcheon (Love Actually), Jamie Foreman (Layer Cake), Alan Davies (Jonathan Creek), Gareth Hale (Hale and Pace), Ewen Mackintosh (The Office), Mark Dymond (Tomorrow Never Dies), Adam Deacon (Anuvahood) and introduces Brenock O’Connor (Game of Thrones).
The Bromley Boys arrives in Lagos at the perfect time alongside the start of the Football World Cup. TJ will introduce the film before the screening and will also be around beforehand for a chat and to answer any questions. Having his movie screened locally by Creative Ape is a wonderful piece of serendipity, bridging Herbert’s cinematic achievements with his adopted home of Lagos.
With seats limited, pre-booking your tickets online is recommended to avoid disappointment on the night. You can even pre-order your meals specifically for the Lagos Marina events. So what are you waiting for? Book your ticket to support local talent and enjoy the magic of outdoor cinema!
Read the Bromley Boy Comes to the Algarve here
