Watching Moana under the stars was a popular choice for a record crowd at Mount Drury in Mount Maunganui on Friday night.

The Young Innovator Awards teamed up with outdoor movie experience Night Owl Cinema to launch the 2017 awards before the movie screened.

Cath Waller was able to secure VIP seats for herself and son Flynn, age 9.

"We had a great time. It certainly pays to get there early! We put our blanket and chair down early while we went and got dinner," says Cath.

"Flynn had missed out on camp this week because of the weather so we thought it'd be something special to do. The VIP area is a cordoned off area although people were jumping in from the sides."

More than 4000 people were reported to have attended the event.

"I saw people arrive and leave as it was too busy. There were even people sitting on the road.”

With daylight saving hours changing, Disney's latest animation blockbuster Moana was able to be screened at an earlier time than previous film events, after 6pm.

'It had a lovely atmosphere,” adds Cath. "So nice to sit and watch the lovely view while enjoying our dinner waiting for the movie to start."

The film is the last screening of the season at the Mount Drury location.

Tonight Night Owl Cinema will be screening The Jungle Book at Sydenham Park in Brookfield, and the event will include entertainment by Tauranga Samba, a local kapa haka group, plus a Burma trail organised by local Scouts.

Food and entertainment commences at 4pm with the movie screening at 6.30pm.

For more information, visit nightowlcinema.org.nz