Friday, Nov. 1

Walt Disney Studios hosts the two-day GI Film Festival, dedicated to the military. Starting Friday at 10 a.m. is the GI Jobs: Filmmaker Boot Camp and Employment Symposium for $25, which includes a screening of Ground Operation: Battlefield to Farmfields, a documentary short about combat veterans who have began new careers ranching and farming. It's followed by more shorts and an award presentation. On Saturday, there are four film blocks and a party. A VIP all-access pass is $100, but you can buy individual tickets as well. Just be sure to buy them in advance at gifilmfestival.com; no tickets will be sold at the door.

At the Downtown Independent, Lowlands explores various aspects of Los Angeles through eight short films. Directed by Russell Sadeghpour and set to music by Blackout Beach, the film profiles wanderers, from a philosopher looking for the city's best Chinese food to “a couch-surfer … on a midnight joyride.” Doors open at 6:15 p.m. and tickets are $10.

Saturday, Nov. 2

At Cinefamily, get a sneak preview of The Motel Life, which stars Emile Hirsch and Stephen Dorff as two brothers who go on the lam after being involved in a hit-and-run that kills a child. Kris Kristofferson, who will be present for a post-screening Q&A with other special guests TBA, plays a car dealer. You must register online for free first-come, first-serve admission, but that doesn't guarantee you a seat. We suggest you show up well before 7 p.m. to increase your chances of getting in.

See also: More L.A. Weekly Film Coverage

Sunday, Nov. 3

Rounding out the weekend at the Aero, at 3 p.m., comes the world premiere of ¡Released! The Human Rights Concerts, a film that spans the Amnesty International concerts from 1986 to 1998 and highlights performances from Bruce Springsteen, U2, The Police, Radiohead, Alanis Morissette and more. It's preceded by a 40-minute documentary, Light a Candle! The Story Behind the Human Rights Concerts, which follows the history of Amnesty International's human-rights benefits and includes interviews with some of the performers above. After the films, stay for a discussion with ¡Released! producer Martin Lewis and Police band members Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland.

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