LA’s indie film curators pick their must-see fall screenings

Even with box office numbers down nationwide, L.A.’s independent film scene thrives — offering a wider and more diverse array of theaters than almost anywhere else in the country. From silent films with live musical accompaniment to '80s action flicks, thrillers and everything in between, there is an opportunity to jump into a different space and time every night across this city.

The people who curate these screenings and series are film programmers — the often unsung heroes who shape the unique cultural offerings we have here. We spoke to three about the upcoming screenings they are most excited to bring to audiences.

Comedies and creatures at the Academy Museum

The David Geffen Theater at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures.

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Julie Leopo

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LAist

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The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Mid-Wilshire is not just a museum. It hosts screenings and talks at its two theaters equipped with multi-format projection (that’s the full range of 16mm, 35mm, 70mm and digital) with Dolby vision and sound. The museum’s director of film programs, K.J. Relth-Miller, said she’s excited about three ongoing series this fall.

Pioneers of the Screen: Gaumont and the Origins of Motion Pictures — Sept. 28

This screening is part of the "Born with Cinema: Gaumont at 130" series, which celebrates Gaumont, the oldest operating film studio in the world. "Pioneers of the Screen" will feature 12 short films from Gaumont’s silent period with live piano accompaniment. Relth-Miller is most excited that some of the films in the program were made by Alice Guy-Blaché, who is considered the first female filmmaker.

The Phantom of Liberty (1974) — Oct. 12

This French satirical comedy was directed by the trailblazing Spanish surrealist filmmaker Luis Buñuel. The screening is part of the series dedicated to his filmography, "Around the World with Luis Buñuel."

“I think Phantom of the Liberty is truly like a predecessor to some of the really raunchy comedies of the '90s,” Relth-Miller said. “You can think about that film as yes, kind of an arthouse, more highbrow version of even something like There's Something About Mary.”

E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1982) — Nov. 2

This screening is part of the Academy Museum series "The Man Who Made Creatures: Special Effects Wizard Carlo Rambaldi.” Rambaldi was born in Italy and worked with Italian film masters like Federico Fellini and Pier Paolo Pasolini, but it was his collaboration with Dario Argento that caught the attention of Dino De Laurentis, an Italian producer in Hollywood who convinced Rambaldi to come to California. From there, Rambaldi worked on the special effects of iconic films like Close Encounters of the Third Kind and E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial — the inspiration for which came from a creature very close to Rambaldi..

“The design of E.T. is based on [Rambadli’s] Himalayan cat,” Relth-Miller said.

Monster movies set to a live organ at Old Town Music Hall

Old Town Music Hall in El Segundo dates back to 1921.

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Courtesy Old Town Music Hall

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Old Town Music Hall was built in 1921 as a silent film theater. It closed, then in the late '60s, two local musicians took it over and installed a massive pipe organ in it to hold concerts. Ever since, it’s been a nonprofit theater that shows classic movies — and some more contemporary ones — every weekend.

“ October is our biggest month,” said James Moll, a documentary filmmaker and president of the nonprofit, volunteer-run theater. “It takes about two days to set up all of the Halloween decorations. [The theater] becomes an incredible Halloween destination for everyone in Southern California, especially people who love classic movies.”

Nosferatu (1922) - Oct. 5

The silent films they show at Old Town Music Hall always feature the accompaniment of their Mighty Wurlitzer pipe organ, which is known for being a so-called "one-man orchestra." Nosferatu is the original vampire film.

(And actually every film screening at the theater — silent film or not — is preceded by a short pre-show organ performance and a vintage cartoon that connects with the theme of the feature presentation.)

Dracula (1931) - Oct. 11

This screening of the Bela Lugosi classic will be presented by comedian Samantha Hale, who hosts a horror-themed show at the Hollywood Improv called “Horror Nerd.”

Various Frankenstein films from 1930s-'70s

Old Town Music Hall will screen multiple early 1930s Boris Karloff Frankenstein films, including Frankenstein and Son of Frankenstein, along with comedic Frankenstein movies like Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein and the Mel Brooks satire Young Frankenstein, so you can experience the wide variety of Frankenstein iterations.

Video store veneration and a 'blood rave' … at Vidiots

Vidiots in Eagle Rock.

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Julie Leopo

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LAist

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Vidiots is a theater and nonprofit video store that originally was located in Santa Monica but closed in 2017, only to be re-opened in 2023 in Eagle Rock. At the new location, the theater already has amassed a cult following — screenings regularly sell out and even sometimes lead to ecstatic dance parties — all curated by director of programming Amanda Salazar.

Video Store Day — Oct. 18

International video store day — a day that celebrates video stores — happens every third Saturday in October. Vidiots is showing three films that feature video stores: Watermelon Woman, Ghost World and Scream. Plus, it will be selling VHS tapes, DVDs, Blu-rays and LaserDiscs at bargain prices all day.

Blade (1998) + A Blood Rave — Oct. 21

The comic book adaptation starring Wesley Snipes from the '90s will be accompanied by  "a blood rave.” When asked to clarify what that means, programmer Salazar referred to the scene at the beginning of the film set in a rave where blood starts to fall from the ceiling.

“Um … we're not gonna be doing that … but we'll be encouraging dress-ups, having DJs that are definitely gonna pump up the mood, encouraging a lot of dancing,” Salazar said.

There also will be a costume contest and specialty drinks served at the Vidiots bar.

Annual ‘Unscary’ Halloween Open House — Oct. 25

This is a Halloween event for families with little ones. It’s free, and there will be a special performance from Bob Baker Marionette Theater, pumpkin carving and a string of short Halloween-themed films.