Rivera to host Director Series

Film Independent event begins Feb. 20

By MATT KIVEL

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Film Independent's eighth-annual Director Series will be held Feb. 20-March 26 at the Landmark West Los Angeles. Oscar nominated writer Jose Rivera ("The Motorcycle Diaries") will serve as moderator.

The Director Series offers a wide range of panel discussions devoted to various elements of filmmaking. The first discussion titled "The Independent Spirit: A Directors Roundtable," is set to take place on Feb. 20, and will feature 2008 Spirit Award nominees Jason Reitman ("Juno"), Tamara Jenkins ("The Savages") and Julian Schnabel ("The Diving Bell and the Butterfly").

Other Series panelists include Zach Helm ("Stranger Than Fiction"), Callie Khouri ("Thelma & Louise") Scott Frank ("The Lookout") and Diana Ossana ("Brokeback Mountain").

All panels will take place in Theater 12 at the Landmark West Los Angeles on Wednesday evenings from 7:30 to 9:30 pm. Tickets can be purchased via Film Independent's reservation line at 310.432.1222 or by sending an email to [e-mail].