See also:

*More L.A. Weekly Film Coverage

Friday, May 10

The second annual touring Czech That Film Festival makes a pit stop at Los Angeles, bringing seven films over five days between today and June 3. Starting off the festival is writer-director Zdenek Jiráský with his first feature, Flower Buds, at the Billy Wilder Theater. Preceded by an opening reception at 7:30 p.m., this winner of four Czech Lions (their version of the Oscar) sees the gradual deterioration of the Hrdina family as they cope — comedically — with the bleak reality of their small-town life. A Q&A with Jiráský will follow the screening.

In Hollywood, the Linwood Dunn Theater hosts The Real Indies: A Close Look at Orphan Films, showing previously neglected movies that have been revived for this two-day event. The series opens with Portrait of Jason, Shirley Clarke's 1967 documentary about a gay African-American houseboy in New York, at 8 p.m.

At midnight, “Never give up, never surrender!” Galaxy Quest, the Star Trek parody that reached cult-classic status, screens at the Vista Theatre. Tim Allen, Sigourney Weaver and Alan Rickman play stars of a once-popular TV show who get caught in a case of truth being stranger than fiction when they encounter real aliens at a fan convention.

Sunday, May 12

Celebrate Mother's Day with The Sound of Music as Maria (Julie Andrews) goes from wannabe nun to stepmom of seven. Bring mom to the Aero at 5 p.m. to swoon over Christopher Plummer in his heyday, sing along with the conveniently musically inclined Von Trapp children and curse out Rolfe for buying into Nazi propaganda.

Wednesday, May 15

The Hola Mexico Festival showcases the best of film, food and music from Mexico. The Hola Mexico Film Festival section opens with the international premiere of Ciudadano Buelna (Citizen Buelna) at 7:30 p.m. at the historic Los Angeles Theater. (All subsequent screenings are $10 each at Regal Cinemas' L.A. Live Stadium 14.) Ciudadano Buelna tells the tale of Rafael Buelna, who inspired his fellow patriots during the Mexican revolution — and remains an icon today. Director Felipe Cazals and some of the film's stars will be in attendance. Afterward, enjoy Mexican food and drinks at the opening-night fiesta. Tickets for the screening and after-party are $30 until May 14, $35 at the door.

Also at 7:30 p.m. is Turning the Page: Storytelling in the Digital Age at the Academy's Samuel Goldwyn Theater. The panel, hosted by writer John August (Big Fish, Corpse Bride),  features the writers and editors of Zero Dark Thirty, Argo and the upcoming Star Trek Into Darkness discussing how technological advances have affected the storytelling process, from the pre-production stage with the script to post-production editing. Learn from the best for a mere $5 — only $3 for members or students with valid IDs.

See also:

*More L.A. Weekly Film Coverage

Follow me on Twitter at @shli1117, and for more arts news follow us at @LAWeeklyArts and like us on Facebook.

Advertising disclosure: We may receive compensation for some of the links in our stories. Thank you for supporting LA Weekly and our advertisers.