Friday, April 25

The Beverly Hills Film Festival began April 23 and continues at the TCL Chinese 6 Theatres (not in Beverly Hills) this Friday with three blocks of films. Starting at 2 p.m. are documentaries Mediacare, about “the politics of media manipulation in the 21st century,” and The Last White Night, in which writer-director Paul Saltzman attempts to reconcile with the Ku Klux Klansman who attacked him in 1965. An after-party at OHM Nightclub starts at 10 p.m. The awards gala starts at 6 p.m. Sunday at the Beverly Hills Hotel; general admission $285, VIP $350. The full schedule and tickets are at beverlyhillsfilmfestival.com.

At the Echo Park Film Center, a special screening of The Famous Joe Project starts at 8 p.m. Based on a short film that made its way through the festival circuit in 2007, this debut feature from Eli Rarey follows a young gay man who records his life on a Flip camera.

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Saturday, April 26

It's day one of six in the REDCAT International Children's Film Festival, taking place every weekend through May 11. With three programs a day starting at noon, these short films are intended for all ages. The first 90-minute block, “Take Wing,” includes all animated shorts, such as Alimation from Alexandre Dubosc of France, which combines food and sound effects, and Subway Train, from Garrett Davis of the United States – a hand-drawn music video featuring animal riders on a subway train. Each block is $5, and tickets can be purchased online at redcat.org.

Tuesday, April 29

Bow down to the king – Richard III, that is, as played by Kevin Spacey. In NOW: In the Wings on a World Stage, we follow Spacey and the troupe from the early stages of putting the Shakespearean play together through its 200-plus performances in three continents. Sam Mendes directed Spacey for the first time since American Beauty. After the 7 p.m. screening at the Landmark, Spacey will be in attendance for a Q&A. A portion of this night's event will go to the Kevin Spacey Foundation, which supports the arts around the world.

See also: More L.A. Weekly Film Coverage

Thursday, May 1

Celebrate the first of May with Cinefamily's third annual Wayne Federman International Film Festival, a four-day event that features some classic films selected by special comedic guests, who will introduce the film and stick around for a post-screening Q&A. Doug Benson kicks things off Thursday at 7:30 p.m. with Boogie Nights, one of Mark Wahlberg's earliest forays into film, playing popular porn star Eddie Adams. Other special guests expected to participate include Kathy Griffin, T.J. Miller and Jeff Garlin. 

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