Film Edited by Brittany Martin timeout.com/los-angeles/film @britt_m


Cinespia’s sweet 16


The founders of the iconic


screening series school us on the magic of moviegoing. By Kate Wertheimer


THIS SUMMER MARKS the 15th year and 16th season of Cinespia, L.A.’s beloved outdoor movie-screening series in Hollywood Forever Cemetery. We caught up with founders John Wyatt and Alia Penner to chat about the series’ teen years.


How has Cinespia grown since its inception in the early 2000s? John Wyatt: When I started, I wore a lot of hats; some nights it was virtually a team of one person. Now we have almost 100 employees all working like clockwork to make our events the best. That growth has been so satisfying.


How have things stayed the same? JW: What has stayed the same is the great audience, all the fans of cinema who have been coming to the cemetery in droves for years. The magic energy that we had in the early days is still around; it comes from a community of people enjoying what they love best, together.


Would you ever consider taking Cinespia on the road? JW: I’ve gotten many offers, but L.A. is our home. I was born and raised here, and my


DISCOVER! Time Out Los Angeles July 12–October 10, 2017


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“Movies come alive when you watch them with thousands of people.” — Penner


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