For movie fans, the Oscars is one of the most important nights of the year. But for many, it can be hard to keep up with the various film nominees. 
The Prytania Theatre in New Orleans gives moviegoers another chance to see some of the year’s biggest contenders on the big screen with its annual Academy Awards film series, where the theater plays some of the most talked-about nominees in the weeks leading up to the Oscars ceremony.  
The film series offers a plethora of the year’s cinema hits, from popular blockbusters like “Captain Philips,” starting Jan. 31, and “The Wolf of Wall Street,” starting Feb. 21, to indie darlings like “Her,” now playing, and “The Great Beauty,” starting Jan. 31.
Eric Ramstead, general manager of the Prytania, said events like this are important, especially with film and filmmaking becoming a more significant aspect of Louisiana life. 
“There are so many film fanatics in Louisiana,” Ramstead said. “They appreciate the stuff that we do, so it’s important to get it out there.” 
Ramstead said the Oscars are a huge event, and that it is important to their fans that they commemorate it. 
“It’s like the Super Bowl for movies,” Ramstead said. “A lot of our customers don’t want to go to the multiplexes, and some of these films don’t get a good run, so we try to pick up as many of the nominees as we can in the weeks leading up to the awards.”
The theater strives to cater to film buffs and offer experiences viewers can’t get anywhere else. 
Ramstead said they try to get films that have not yet played at the Prytania, and they have more success with rarely seen films like ”Nebraska,” starting Feb. 14, than movies like “12 Years a Slave,” which had a successful run at the theater earlier in the year. The series also offers viewers the chance to see all of the Oscar nominated short films in one place, something many may not get the chance to do elsewhere
In addition to the Academy Awards series, the theater is also offering a Best Picture series, where customers can see some past winners of the Best Picture award, including “The Godfather,” “Casablanca” and “Annie Hall.” 
“We’re trying to encompass all aspects of the awards ceremony,” Ramstead said.  
The series culminates in an Oscar-watching party hosted by the New Orleans Film Society. The event offers attendees the opportunity to see the red carpet on the silver screen. The night includes a mock red carpet, popcorn, hor d’oeuvres and film trivia complete with prizes. 
Check prytaniatheatreneworleans.com to see movie times or to buy tickets online. 
“It’s like the Super Bowl for movies.”