Ojai Playhouse Launches ‘Left Turn,’ a Free Indie Film Showcase Featuring ‘Our Hero, Balthazar,’ ‘Crumb Catcher’ and More (Exclusive)

Logo text Following the recent success of independent films like Obsession and Backrooms, Ojai Playhouse is launching Left Turn, a new programming series aimed at spotlighting emerging independent filmmakers, The Hollywood Reporter can reveal. The inaugural event, set for Aug. 8, is a free one-day showcase featuring screenings of independent releases followed by live Q&As with participating filmmakers. It will take place at Ojai Playhouse, one of California’s oldest independent theaters. Built in 1914, the venue is among the state’s first single-screen cinemas. The lineup includes $Positions, Our Hero, Balthazar, Fucktoys, Situations, The Napa Boys and Crumb Catcher, the latter of which earned a spot on THR’s list of the best horror movies of 2024. Making their Ojai debuts are Crumb Catcher, Situations and Our Hero, Balthazar. Journalist Daniel Spielberger (NBC News, Esquire) will moderate each filmmaker discussion. “Thrilled to host this eclectic lineup and welcome the filmmakers and fans of indie cinema to the Ojai Playhouse,” theater owner and programmer David Berger said in a statement. Creative branding consultant and designer Harrison Neef, added: “The visual direction for Left Turn was heavily inspired by drive-in movie nights and the feeling of community around sharing cinema as a culture and pastime. Playing on bright colors and DIY-collage style image compositions, we’ve pulled from the nostalgia of yesterday to highlight the films of tomorrow.” See the full schedule below. Free tickets for each screening are available to reserve at ojaiplayhouse.com. 10 a.m. — Crumb Catcher + 11:45 a.m. Q&A with Chris Skotchdopole 12:30 p.m. — $Positions + 2 pm Q&A with Brandon Daley 3 p.m. — Our Hero, Balthazar + 4:30 p.m. Q&A with Peter Gold 5:30 p.m. — Fucktoys + 7:15 p.m. Q&A with Annapurna Sriram 7:45 p.m. — Situations + 9:15 p.m. Q&A with Greg Vrotsos 10 p.m. — The Napa Boys + 11:30 p.m. Q&A with Nick Corirossi, Paul Rust and Armen Weitzman