LA Renaissance is working with KAOS Network and Leimert Park Village in LA to host a monthly outdoor film series that highlights diverse and female filmmakers.

For our first screening, we partnered with Blackout (http://www.blackoutforhumanrights.com/) to show Fruitvale Station. The series is not only a way to expose audiences to provocative films, but to strategically engage communities. Every screening is followed by a think tank where audience members discuss their creative and activist endeavors, which allows people to collaborate and share resources. Furthermore, we host weekly community meetings where people can continue to work together and actually execute ideas. Since our first screening, we have seen increased participation at our meetings, from people of different backgrounds and gender.

Donations from our screenings support the People's Plaza and tech initiative in Leimert Park (http://www.leimertparkvillage.org/). USC Innovation Lab is a partner on this project which aims to bring tech resources to Leimert Park through a variety of labs and workshops. Furthermore, the Plaza is part of a 5-year plan envisioned by galleries, non-profits, businesses and developers in the area. The metro line will extend to Leimert Park within that time frame so this is an urgent opportunity for the community to bring an exciting resource to the area that will encourage unity and innovation.

About Leimert Park:
Leimert Park is a historic neighborhood in LA, rich with culture. Our partner KAOS Network is an arts center founded by filmmaker Ben Caldwell. His legendary program Project Blowed produced the music groups Aceyalone, Medusa, Busdriver, Freestyle Fellowship, and Jurassic Five. Filmmakers and artists such as Ava Duvernay have also been affiliated with the center over the years.

http://www.kcet.org/socal/departures/youthvoices/leimert-park/