The Los Angeles County Museum of Art's film series is getting a Hollywood-style make-over, adding a new film festival, film discussions, and a yearly fund-raising gala.
The long running program will be managed by a new organization, Film Independent, the nonprofit group behind the Spirit Awards and Los Angeles Film Festival, under a partnership announced Wednesday.
"The is really great news for LACMA's film program," said Barbara Pflaumer, Associate VP for Communications at LACMA.
Lack of money and dwindling attendance almost put an end to the 43-year-old program which featured a range of films including documentaries, repertories, and film premieres, Pflaumer said.
The new partnership brings additional funding which will allow LACMA to expand and the New York Times will serve as the presenting sponsor.
As a result, Pflaumer said they are adding a yearly film festival (which next year will be based on Stanley Kubrick), a yearly fund raising gala, and will be able to invite guest speakers for discussions before and after films.
Film Independent will work in collaboration with LACMA to pick upcoming films. The partnership will also give a permanent home to the organization at LACMA's Leo S. Bing Theater.
Dawn Hudson, executive director of Film Independent, said the partnership will give the organization a chance to champion the work of "film artists" and give their work greater exposure.
"The new series will provide our membership with a richer film-going experience, and it's a beautiful pairing of the film world and the art world that makes perfect sense in Los Angeles," Hudson said.
Ian Birnie, who has been overseeing the film series, will part ways with the museum this fall, after the presentation of a summertime Tim Burton retrospective.
