Various locations in L.A.
Screenings $21
Founded over 30 years ago as a group of independent filmmakers’ response to Sundance, Slamdance Film Festival is returning to Los Angeles for the second year. With a mantra of “by filmmakers, for filmmakers,” Slamdance focuses on emerging artists and counts the Russo brothers, Christopher Nolan, Gina Prince-Bythewood, the Safdie brothers, Rian Johnson, Sean Baker and more of today’s most notable directors as alums. A lineup of some 140 shorts, experimental films and features—including several made here in L.A.—will play for a week at the Directors Guild of America (7920 W Sunset Blvd), the Landmark Sunset (8000 W Sunset Blvd) and 2220 Arts + Archives (2220 Beverly Blvd). See the full lineup here; highlights include the opening-night film, Quentin Tarantino-produced The Projectionist, as well as The Untitled Ruby Slippers Documentary, directed by Seth Gordon.