Students pitch 'Fishers family' movie nights as city releases positive resident survey

Students in the Mayor's Youth Academy asked the Fishers City Council to sponsor a pilot "Fishers family" community movie night series at the Nickel Plate Amphitheater, proposing seasonal Wednesday screenings at dusk, free admission for Fishers residents and an initial pilot in June and July. "We are here representing the Mayor's Youth Academy," said Ayushi Tani Parthi, a junior at Fletcher's High School. Student presenters described two cost options: a low-cost operational plan estimated at $3,500–$4,500 or a purchase-option for equipment costing roughly $7,500–$12,500; they also cited film licensing at about $400–$600 per showing and suggested vendor fees (for example, $150 per food truck plus a 10% profit share to support the program.

The students said the pilot would prioritize family‑friendly, PG‑13 or lower films and estimated early attendance near 200 people per night, projecting roughly 1,800 total touchpoints across the pilot. They asked the council for help with funding, safety protocols, volunteer recruitment and permitting. "Residents will provide their own blankets and chairs and get to see movies at the Nickel Plate Amphitheater," a student presenter said. Council members thanked the students and invited a photo at the end of the presentation.

In the same meeting the administration released results from a National Citizen Survey of nearly 3,000 residents. Community and Public Relations Director Ashley Elrod said the results were "very humbling" and reported extremely high marks for quality of life and public safety: for example, the presentation stated that 99% of respondents said Fishers is a great place to live and 98% said they feel safe in their neighborhoods. Elrod added that customer-service satisfaction was high (reported at 97%) and that 89% of respondents approved the city's overall direction. "You're proud of this great city, and the growth and changes we've been making are moving us in the right direction," the mayor's office said during the presentation.

Why it matters: The student proposal would create a low-cost community programming option that relies on modest council support and partnerships with Fishers Parks, Fishers Police and the Department of Public Works. The survey results provide the administration with quantitative backing to continue investments in safety, parks and services; council members said they would incorporate the findings into communications and policy priorities.

What's next: The students asked the council for logistical and financial assistance if the pilot proceeds; city staff will handle permitting and public‑safety coordination. The administration said it will continue to share and incorporate the survey findings into future planning.