LACMA reveals plans for revamped film program, but fans are skeptical

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Michael Govan, the director of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, took a few hours out of his busy schedule Tuesday to meet with members of Save Film at LACMA. On the table was the fate of the museum’s 40-year-old weekend film program, which the museum said in July it plans to shut down.

But the meeting, nicknamed the ‘popcorn summit,’ has evoked mixed reviews from the L.A. movie buffs who attended.

Govan laid out for the first time a set of proposed budget figures for what he sees as a revamped film department at LACMA. He said that he would like to increase the program’s annual budget to $500,000 from its current level of about $350,000. He also said he is looking to raise between $5 million and $10 million in endowments for the re-imagined film program.

Members of Save Film at LACMA said they were impressed with Govan’s enthusiasm but expressed concern that his big-budget vision for the film department emphasized big donors at the expense of loyal ticket buyers.

You can read the entire story here. The Times also spoke with several prominent filmmakers in Hollywood and beyond for memories of their beloved LACMA screenings series.

-- David Ng

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