Upcoming free screenings at the Billy Wilder Theater, Vidiots’ new Eagle Theatre + livestreamed!

Jun 2–18

Imagining Indigenous Cinema: New Voices, New Visions

This series spotlights contemporary Indigenous filmmakers who are crafting narratives that center their own stories and cultures, establishing new forms of Indigenous cinematic expression and envisioning Indigenous futures. Screenings and filmmaker Q&As will take place at the Billy Wilder Theater at the Hammer Museum in Westwood Village and Vidiots’ Eagle Theatre in Eagle Rock, and also livestreamed on June 10, 17 and 18.

Co-presented by the UCLA American Indian Studies Center. Special thanks to our community partners: The Autry Museum, The Chapter House, Empowering Pacific Islander Communities (EPIC), Indigenous Circle of Wellness, Los Angeles Filmforum, LA Skins Fest, Meztli Projects, Oxy Arts, So’oh-Shinálí Sister Project, UCLA AMIA Student Chapter.

Gush (2023)

Fox Maxy’s first feature, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, is an explosive and expansive collage of images and sounds that has been shaped over the past decade. Maxy rhythmically explores themes of self, friendship and trauma that are connected by a pulsating sound.

In person: Q&A with filmmaker Fox Maxy.

Waikiki (2020)

Chasing the Light (2016)

Christopher Kahunahana’s Waikiki captures the difficulties Native Hawaiians face in building meaningful lives in a tourism-driven society. Next, Blackhorse Lowe directs and stars in a dark comedy about a broken-hearted stoner currently “living the sober life.”

In person: Q&A with filmmakers Christopher Kahunahana, Blackhorse Lowe.

Artist Talk: Fox Maxy + Films

Blending a dynamic variety of visual and audio elements in her films, including lo-fi camcorder footage, iPhone recordings, archival images and contemporary music, Fox Maxy takes viewers through a journey in every frame.

In person: Q&A with filmmaker Fox Maxy.

This event takes place at Vidiots’ Eagle Theatre.

INAATE/SE (2016) + Short Films

Adam and Zack Khalil’s feature INAATE/SE summons the violent discord of colonization into a documentary narrative that decomposes into dissonant elucidations on the Seven Fires Prophecy. Preceded by short films.

In person: Q&A with filmmaker Zack Khalil.

Empty Metal (2018) + Short Films

Empty Metal follows five groups who aim to start a revolution against the U.S. government. The underground punk scene shapes the film’s style, and its themes explore mass surveillance, oppression, morality and power. Preceded by short films.

In person: Q&A with filmmaker Tiare Ribeaux.

Deconstructions

Unabashedly confrontational and anti-colonial, this shorts program examines institutional policies and scientific imperialism that have shaped the Indigenous American experience.

In person: Q&A with filmmaker Zack Khalil.

This event takes place at Vidiots’ Eagle Theatre.

Archive Talks: The Mermaid (2016)

In her new book, The Empire of Effects: Industrial Light & Magic and the Rendering of Realism, Julie A. Turnock argues that the dominant aesthetic of digital realism can be traced to one company, Industrial Light & Magic. Turnock will give a brief talk, followed by a screening of Stephen Chow’s delirious Chinese blockbuster, The Mermaid, and a Q&A.

In person: author Julie A. Turnock.

Meet the Filmmaker: Fox Maxy

Fox Maxy is an Indigenous filmmaker (Mesa Grande Band of Mission Indians and Payómkawish) based in San Diego. Her first feature, Gush (2023), is a kaleidoscopic look at horror and survival, an ode to friendship, and a celebration of what it means to endure. She will join us in person on June 2 and 4.

Meet the Filmmaker: Christopher Kahunahana

An interview with Hawaiian filmmaker Christopher Kahunahana, whose film, Waikiki (2020), explores the impact of colonialism through the experiences of a Native Hawaiian hula dancer. He will join us in person for a screening on June 3.

Access nearly 15,000 historical newsreels from the Hearst Metrotone News Collection at UCLA

The UCLA Film & Television Archive and The Packard Humanities Institute (PHI) launched a new website (newsreels.net) giving access to thousands of historical newsreel stories from the Hearst Metrotone News Collection. The website is the first phase of a multi-year project, led by PHI, to make the entire Hearst collection accessible to the public.