The KCET Cinema Series continued this week at the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences with a screening of "The Sapphires."

The Spring 2013 KCET Cinema Series in North Hollywood continued with a screening of "Emperor" at the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. After the screening, producer Gary Foster and screenwriter Vera Blasi joined host Pete Hammond for an intimate Q&A. They talked about how the film got financed, the casting of the film, and their shooting locations. Listen to the whole Q&A below:

Audiences from around the world seem to be in agreement: "The Sapphires" is the year's must-see crowd favorite. Winner of multiple U.S. film festival audience awards and 11 Australian Academy Awards, "The Sapphires" is a celluloid gem based on true events filled with laughs, heart, and a whole lotta soul.

Set in tumultuous 1968, "The Sapphires" chronicles the journey of four talented Aboriginal singers with bleak beginnings and even bigger dreams. With the help of boozy Irish musician Dave, played by the always charming Chris O'Dowd, sisters Gail, Julie and Cynthia, and their cousin Kay, are transformed from the mediocre Country-Western group they used to be to the soulful Motown queens they were meant to be as they vie for the opportunity to entertain American troops abroad in Vietnam. Starring Deborah Mailman, Jessica Mauboy, Shari Sebbens, and Miranda Tapsell, "The Sapphires" hits U.S. theaters on March 22nd.

Director Wayne Blair joins us after our preview screening for a Q&A with series host Pete Hammond!

Want to win a FREE pair of passes to the screening? Answer the following trivia question correctly for your chance: Name the popular real-life Motown girl group that inspired The Sapphires' look and sound. [Winner chosen at random among correct answers; contest ends March 11th at 5:00 PM] Click here for contest rules.

The KCET Cinema Series continued this week at the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences with a screening of "Emperor," a new film starring Tommy Lee Jones. The Cinema Series, hosted by film critic Pete Hammond, features films before their local release and takes place Tuesdays at 7pm.

The Spring 2013 KCET Cinema Series in North Hollywood kicked off with a screening of "If I Were You.". After the screening, actors Joseph Kell and Valerie Mahaffey joined host Pete Hammond for an intimate Q&A. They talked about the film's ending, the audience's reaction, and modern film production. Listen to the whole interview below:

The KCET Cinema Series is back at the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences in North Hollywood for the Spring 2013 series! Hosted by film critic Pete Hammond, the series features eight films before their local release for KCET members. The opening night film, "If I Were You," stars Oscar winner Marcia Gay Harden and was a big hit at the Palm Springs Film Festival.

"Emperor" is the visually stunning new epic from director Peter Webber ("The Girl With the Pearl Earing," "Hannibal Rising") chronicling the tumultuous period of American occupation in Japan after the end of World War II.

General Douglas MacArthur (Academy Award winner Tommy Lee Jones) and his head of military intelligence General Bonner Fellers (Matthew Fox, "Lost") are tasked with determining whether the beloved Emperor Hirohito will be tried and executed for Japanese atrocities committed during the war. Complicating Gen. Fellers' investigation is the troubling disappearance of his past love Aya (Eriko Hatsune), a former Japanese exchange student. "Emperor" is in theaters March 8th.

Following our preview screening, producer Gary Foster ("Sleepless in Seattle", "The Soloist", "Community"), and screenwriter Vera Blasi ("Woman on Top", "Tortilla Soup") join series host Pete Hammond for a Q&A!

Want to win a FREE pair of passes to the screening? Answer the following trivia question correctly for your chance: For which film did Tommy Lee Jones win an Oscar? [Winner chosen at random among correct answers; contest ends March 4th at 5:00 PM] Click here for contest rules.

KCET kicks off an all new year of previewing the best in film this Tuesday, February 26th, with the opening night comedy "If I Were You." Featuring the impeccable comedy talents of Oscar winner Marcia Gay Harden as protagonist Madelyn, "If I Were You" tells the story of two unlikely allies whose growing friendship leads to unexpected revelations.

When Madelyn discovers that her husband (Joseph Kell) is cheating on her with young and exotic Lucy (Leonor Watling), befriending 'the other woman' is hardly her first intention. But when she unwittingly saves the hysterical Lucy from a suicide attempt, the two form an unlikely bond. Determined that the other could live her life better than she could, Madelyn and Lucy promise to improve their unhappy lot by agreeing to do exactly what the other says. Also starring Aidan Quinn, Valerie Mahaffey, and Joseph Kell, "If I Were You" is out in limited release on March 15th.

After the screening, co-star Joseph Kell joins host Pete Hammond for a Q & A!

Watch eight films before their local release at the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences in North Hollywood. Hosted by film critic Pete Hammond, the KCET Cinema Series features Q&As with top filmmakers and talent. Buy your tickets now to see some of the best films of the year!

Find KCET Cinema Series film previews, listen to podcasts, look through photo galleries, and find information about local festivals and award winning films.

Oscar nominations were announced this morning and we were excited to find out that many of the films nominated were also screened during the 2012 KCET Cinema Series. Here's our comprehensive overview of the nominated films:

Click here to look through more event pictures, listen to intimate Q&A's, and buy your passes to the upcoming 2013 Spring KCET Cinema Series.

Graphic by Henry Cram