flaherty, los angeles

june 24-29th, 2025, ray stark theater, usc

It was a pleasure to organize the Los Angeles Pod for the Flaherty’s 70th seminar, Onward! The Pod took place at USC, a partnership with CEMA director Stephanie Spray, and the School of Cinematic Arts vice-dean, Michael Renov. Michael provided ample context, as he’d co-curated the 50th Flaherty.

Over the four day seminar we held six sessions, with up to 150 peoples in attendance. Post-screening conversations were facilitated by Jheanelle Brown, Colin Beckett, Michael Renov, Jesse Lerner, Rraine Hanson, and Christina Catherine Martinez.

We closed the seminar with Surprises in Time, a bonus screening in partnership with Los Angeles Filmforum. The program featured new works from filmmakers James Benning, Rebecca Baron and Rajee Samarasinghe. The three joined us for a post screening conversation.

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Thanks to CEMA staff Tasnim Boufelfel, Travis Levasseur, and David de Rojas, and volunteers Yuli Li and Alisha Tejpaul.

Drink and fare was graciously provided by Boxx Coffee, Sqirl, Bubb & Grandmas, Juneshine, Prime Pizza, and Clark Street Bakery.