As Scott Foerst sees it, Leadership Sandy Springs’ seventh annual Movies by Moonlight is truly a family affair.

“I think it’s community and mass appeal,” said Foerst, a 2007 Leadership graduate and co-chair of this year’s series of films shown outdoors.

Held at the lawn outside Sandy Springs United Methodist Church’s Hitson Activity Center, the event includes children’s activities before movies are shown on a giant screen. Sandy Springs resident Bruce Piefke, CEO of Vinings-based Special Events Network, finds mostly newer titles that have not been released on DVD yet. The first one, “Marmaduke,” will be shown Friday, with two others set for Oct. 1 (“Blindside”) and Oct. 8 (“The Karate Kid”). Nearly 1,500 people attend the event annually.

In addition to the movie, this year’s events will have more children’s activities than in years past, organizers said. They will include face painting, Zoomba and yoga demonstrations, a hula hoop contest, school bands performing and the Boy Scouts retiring an American flag. The Sandy Springs Fire Department will host interactive games one night and the Rotary Club of Sandy Springs also will have activities planned. A concession stand will provide food and drinks.

“It gives families a chance to get together and makes it something special. That’s what I like about it,” said Jori Kosher, a 2008 Leadership graduate and 2010 event co-chair.

Leadership Sandy Springs Executive Director Carolyn Axt said the event was started as a fundraiser for the organization, which each year has a class of community leaders from various industries to participate in activities to grow as people.

“Years ago, Bruce, who did these movies all over the city, knew we didn’t have these movies in the city. Leadership was looking for a fundraiser, not a major event but something,” she said. “A lot of the Leadership Sandy Springs class members said we need more activities in Sandy Springs. Bruce was willing to work with us in getting it established so it serves those needs. Now everyone looks forward to it so much and we’re so happy to have an event that brings everybody together.”

Ms. Axt and Ms. Kosher credited the alumni, all volunteers, for their hard work in preparing for the event.

A closer look

o When: from 6 to 10 p.m.; schedule is: Friday — “Marmaduke,” Oct. 1 — “Blindside,” and Oct. 8 — “The Karate Kid”

o Where: Sandy Springs United Methodist Church, 86 Mount Vernon Hwy. (enter on Sandy Springs Circle)

o Cost: free

o Information: (404) 256-9091 or visit www.leadershipsandysprings.org