Friday, Sept. 27

Named after the famous American sci-fi and horror writer, the H.P. Lovecraft Film Festival showcases shorts and features of the macabre, fantastical and bizarre. After a dinner at the nearby, Victorian-themed Whale & Ale at 5 p.m., the three-day fest officially kicks off at 7 p.m. with Richard Stanley's adaptation of Mother of Toads, based on Clark Ashton Smith's story of a traveling couple who get lured into a grown-up, Hansel & Gretel type of trap — but with a lustful, not candy-doling, witch. A VIP pass (for $125) gets you not only reserved seating for all the screenings, to be held at the Warner Grand Theater, but also complimentary meals at Friday's dinner, Saturday's lunch and Sunday's brunch. For those who can't physically attend, there's a “There in Spirit” pass for $29.99 to watch everything via LiveStream.

Also this weekend is the fifth annual Lady Filmmakers Film Festival at the Writers Guild, where Bryce Dallas Howard will be honored Sunday with the 2013 Spotlight Award for her acting and directing achievements. The VIP pass, at only $75, gives you entree to all the film programs as well as the networking events, industry panels, awards ceremony and parties. (However, you must RSVP for the panels and parties as space is limited.) Screenings start Saturday, but get a jump-start with the 9 p.m. cocktail party at Sfixio with gourmet Italian hors d'oeuvres and wine. Buy tickets and get the full lineup at ladyfilmmakers.com.

Monday, Sept. 30

Running today through Sunday is the multimedia festival A Celebration of Palestinian Culture at the Harmony Gold Theater and UC Irvine's Barclay Theater. In addition to several film screenings, there will be an art exhibition, public conversations and live performances throughout the week. Tuesday at 7 p.m. is the Los Angeles premiere of It's Better to Jump, a documentary about the ancient walled city of Akka and the Palestinian families who live there, with a directors' panel and reception following the screening. For tickets and more info, go to levantinecenter.org.

Thursday, Oct. 3

Throughout this month, 21 films will be screened as part of the Caméras d'Afrique: The Films of West Africa series, curated by Film Independent at LACMA's Elvis Mitchell, at LACMA's Bing Theater and Loyola Marymount University's Communication Arts Building. On Thursday, starting at 5:30 p.m., LACMA will show a double feature of Bye Bye Africa, a fictionalized sort of self-biopic of filmmaker Mahamat Saleh Haroun, and Grigris, Haroun's newest work, which tells the story of a disabled man's dream of becoming a dancer. Between the films, there will be a reception at the BP Grand Entrance Courtyard with refreshments and live music. Haroun will be in attendance for a postscreening Q&A. The series ends Oct. 28.

See also: More L.A. Weekly Film Coverage

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