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About Cinema Series

Southern California’s longest-running public program of new film screenings for the past 30 years.
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Cinema Series welcomes movie fans to enjoy preview screenings of the best of Hollywood.

Movies have been a feature of public television in Southern California since KCET began broadcasting from Hollywood in the early 1960s. Today, we offer a variety of film programming on-air, online and in person. They include Must See Movies, Fine Cut, Variety Studio: Actors on Actors, Earth Focus, and the Cinema Series — now in its 30th year!

The Cinema Series is Southern California’s longest-running public program of new film screenings for the past 30 years. Since its inception in 1994, the Cinema Series welcomes movie fans to enjoy preview screenings of the best of Hollywood, independent and festival films prior to their release in theaters or streaming.

Each screening is followed by intimate conversations with the film's director, actors or other special guests. Both experiences below are hosted by nationally recognized film critic Pete Hammond.

The Cinema Series at Landmark Westwood

The Cinema Series is held at the Landmark Westwood, located near the UCLA campus. The 245-seat theater is an ADA-compliant facility with a single screen, state-of-the-art digital projection, Dolby ATMOS Sound, a concession and bar area, and more. Parking is available in nearby public lots and surrounding streets.

Virtual Cinema Series

At special times throughout the year, the virtual Cinema Series presents preview screenings and conversations with filmmakers for audiences anywhere.

30 Years of Great New Films

The Cinema Series is recognized for offering award-winning and emerging filmmakers the opportunity to preview their new work outside of an industry or festival environment. This opportunity for Hollywood, independent and foreign filmmakers has also served to extend our commitment to arts & culture programming in the community.

Screenings and special guests at the Cinema Series include many award-nominated and winning films. Access each Q&A recording from last year's screenings below:

  • "American Fiction," with director/writer Cord Jefferson
  • "Dream Scenario," with director/writer Kris Borgli; "Golda," with director Guy Nattiv
  • "Maestro," with co-stars Carey Mulligan and Matt Bomer
  • "May December," with director Todd Haynes, writer Samy Burch, and stars Julianne Moore and Charles Melton
  • "The Holdovers," with director Alexander Payne
  • "Society of the Snow," with director J.A. Bayona, producer Belén Atienza, actor Enzo Vogrincic, composer Michael Giacchino, and real-life survivor Roberto Canessa
  • "The Color Purple," with executive music producer Stephen Bray and composer Kris Bowers
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A bald person adjusts his football uniform.

'The Senior' Q&A with Actor Michael Chiklis and Producer Mark Ciardi at the PBS SoCal Cinema Series

The film screened March 26, with a Q&A with actor Michael Chiklis and producer Mark Ciardi immediately following the screening.
Two people look at something in the distance in horror.

Mystery Comedy 'Wicked Little Letters' Stars Olivia Colman and Jessie Buckley: Early Screening at the PBS SoCal Cinema Series

The film screened March 19, with a pre-recorded Q&A with director Thea Sharrock shown immediately after the screening.
A person wearing glasses flips through a book at a desk.

'One Life' Q&A with Kim Masters at the PBS SoCal Cinema Series

The film screened March 12, with an in-person Q&A with KCRW host and THR editor Kim Masters, whose mother was one of the children rescued by Nicholas Winton.