This weekend, several couples, families, or groups of friends will engage in the common form of socialization or bonding known as dinner and a movie. An arts network and non-profit film organization announced Feb. 25 they are partnering together to take “dinner and a movie” up to another level. Both groups will also be hosting a series dedicated to film directors.
Film Independent and Ovation have partnered together to procure the invite-only Dinner and a Movie Series and the Directors Close-Up Series.
“Ovation continues to show its great appreciation for film as an art form both on and off the air,” Film Independent president Josh Welsh stated.
Scott Woodward, the senior vice president of programming at Ovation, added: “we recognize film as one of the most-significant art forms impacting our culture today.”
With a focus on independent filmmaking, the Dinner and a Movie series will be held quarterly. Film Independent will procure the films. After the film screenings, attendees will be treated to dinner and a discussion with filmmakers.
The “2014 Film Independent Directors Close-Up” will be held one night a week through the end of March at The Landmark at the Westside Pavilion in West Los Angeles.
According to Film Independent and Ovation, the series will offer “filmmakers and film lovers a unique opportunity to hear firsthand from the most prominent directors working today, and their collaborators, as they explore specific aspects of their craft.”
The five-week series officially kicks off this week and continues through the end of March at The Landmark. Each screening will focus on a different topic, such as writing, casting, and working with actors.
“Both enlightening and inspiring, this series also provides attendees with the opportunity to pose questions, further adding to the intimate nature of the experience,” a joint statement issued by Film Independent and Ovation stated.
The directors headlining the five-week series include Alfonso Cuaron (Gravity, Y tu tu mamá también), Alexander Payne (Nebraska, The Descendants); Ernest Dickerson (The Walking Dead, The Wire), Jeremy Podeswa (Boardwalk Empire, The Newsroom), and Jill Soloway (Afternoon Delight).
Additional guests to include Julie Delpy, Bob Nelson, Scott Neustadter, and Nick Pizzolatto; moderators include David Ansen, John August, and Alan Poul.
Based in Santa Monica, Ovation produces art-centric series, documentaries, films and specials such as “The Art Of,” “A Young Doctor’s Notebook,” and “The Fashion Fund.” The media company states it has a national audience of more than 50 million people and provides “more than $15 million in contributions and in-kind support to community organizations, cultural institutions, and arts education programs.”
The non-profit arts organization Film Independent produces the Spirit Awards, held annually in Santa Monica, as well as the Los Angeles Film Festival.
Film Independent also produces a weekly film series at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA).
