August 30, 2025 #1 Local News, Information and Event Source for the Century City/Westwood areas.

Ovation, Film Independent Partner For Dinner And A Movie, Directors Series

ovt-logo-blue
Ovation and Film Independent have partnered together to produce a Dinner and a Movie series as well as a Directors Close-Up series. (Courtesy Image)

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).

Related Posts

Film Producer With Credits on The Apprentice and The Fallout Charged in $12M Scheme

August 30, 2025

August 30, 2025

Accused Billed for Fake COVID Tests, Misappropriated Film Funds, and Laundered Money Federal agents in South Carolina have arrested a...

Bus Lane Crackdown Coming to West Hollywood Under Metro LA Program

August 30, 2025

August 30, 2025

After a 60-day warning period, Tickets Will Be Issued for $293 Each Drivers who block bus lanes in West Hollywood...

Los Angeles City Council Bans ‘Disaster Tours’ in Pacific Palisades Wildfire Zone

August 30, 2025

August 30, 2025

Resolution Restricts Heavy Buses While Crews Repair Roads, Slopes, Utilities Tour buses will no longer be allowed to operate in...

Santa Monica Flea-Borne Typhus Cluster Under Investigation as L.A. Cases Rise

August 29, 2025

August 29, 2025

County Confirms 106 Cases So Far in 2025 After a Record 187 Last Year Health officials are warning Los Angeles...

CHP Launches Annual Statewide Labor Day Crackdown on Impaired Driving

August 29, 2025

August 29, 2025

All Available Officers Will Patrol California Roads August 29–September 1 The California Highway Patrol will deploy every available officer this...

Pedestrian Struck and Killed by Work Truck in Brentwood

August 29, 2025

August 29, 2025

Authorities Reported the Crash Near Mulholland Drive On Friday morning in Brentwood, a pedestrian was struck and killed by a...

Toxic Avenger Reboot Aims to Smash Box Office and Medical Debt on Labor Day Weekend

August 29, 2025

August 29, 2025

Film’s Release Comes With a Promise to Erase Millions in Medical Bills The upcoming release of The Toxic Avenger will...

Trump Says Beverly Hills Residents Leave Cars Open for Thieves, Locals Call It Nonsense

August 28, 2025

August 28, 2025

Officials and Residents Say Trump’s Crime Remarks Don’t Reflect Reality City officials and residents pushed back this week after former...

Beverly Hills Schools Halt Israeli Flag Display Despite School Board Vote

August 28, 2025

August 28, 2025

Superintendent Cites Safety Concerns After Narrow 3–2 Decision Despite a 3–2 Board of Education vote to display the Israeli flag...

Los Angeles County Public Health Probe Sparks Nationwide Egg Recall Over Salmonella

August 28, 2025

August 28, 2025

More Than 95 Cases Tied to Country Eggs in 14 States; Do Not Eat Affected Cartons Los Angeles Public health...

(Video) The Opening of Mr. Charlie’s with Santa Monica Mayor Lana Negrete

August 28, 2025

August 28, 2025

Vegan burger restaurant with brightly colored decor now open on 26th street across fromthe Brentwood Country Mart. The Opening of...

California Pizza Kitchen Debuts Heart-Shaped Pizza Celebrating Swift–Kelce

August 28, 2025

August 28, 2025

13 Days of Engagement Pizzas, and Return of Hot Honey Flavors California Pizza Kitchen is rolling out a series of...

Culver Hotel Celebrates 101 Years With 101 Anniversary Menu and Live Music

August 28, 2025

August 28, 2025

Guests Can Enjoy a Four-Course Meal, Nightly Performances, Trivia Contest The historic Culver Hotel is celebrating its 101st anniversary this...

Westside Chefs Shine at the Manhattan Beach Food & Wine Festival in September

August 27, 2025

August 27, 2025

South Bay’s Culinary Festival Returns With Two Nights of Food, Wine, and Music Santa Monica, Westchester, Los Angeles, and West...

(Video) Come Tour The Willows Community School!

August 27, 2025

August 27, 2025

Sign up for a tour at The Willows and come see what makes our school such a vibrant, inspiring place...