Arts Circle, Film Lover and Secret (shhh…) Members, you and a guest are invited to Programmers’ Picks, a curated screening series taking place at the Film Independent Theater. Make sure to take advantage of your exclusive priority registration window, after which all Film Independent Members will have the opportunity to register.

Join us for Secret Mall Apartment, followed by an in-person conversation with director Jeremy Workman.

In 2003, eight Rhode Island artists created a secret apartment inside the busy Providence Place Mall and lived there for four years, filming everything along the way. They snuck in furniture, tapped into the mall’s electricity, and even constructed a wall, smuggling in more than two tons of cinderblock. Far more than just a wild prank, the secret apartment became a deeply meaningful place for its inhabitants. It was a personal expression of defiance against local gentrification, a boundary-pushing work of public/private art, a clubhouse in which large-scale charitable art projects were planned, and, finally, a 750 square-foot “F you” to The Man. Featuring never-before-seen footage of the space and revealing the identities of all the participants for the first time, Secret Mall Apartment is more than just a bonkers true story. Director Jeremy Workman (Lily Topples The World, The World Before Your Feet, Deciding Vote) delivers a poignant exploration of a group of artists who discovered their purpose within the most commercial and improbable of places.

Secret Mall Apartment premiered at SXSW in 2024 and won the Documentary Spotlight Audience Award. The film also played at the Cleveland International Film Festival, Florida Film Festival, Hot Docs International Documentary Festival, Maryland Film Festival, IFFBoston, deadCenter Film Festival, Melbourne International Film Festival, newportFILM, Calgary International Film Festival, Vancouver International Film Festival, Mill Valley Film Festival, Hamptons International Film Festival, Woodstock Film Festival, DOC NYC, and Big Sky Documentary Film Festival.

From Executive Producer Jesse Eisenberg and mTuckman Media, Secret Mall Apartment will open at the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema of Los Angeles on April 4.

Beverages will be served prior to the screening, starting at 7:00 pm PT.

 
2024, 91 minutes, color | Directed and Produced by Jeremy Workman | Featuring Michael Townsend, Adriana Valdez Young, Colin Bliss, Andrew Oesch, Greta Scheing, James Mercer, Emily Ustach, Jay Zehngebot | Executive Produced by Jesse Eisenberg, Allen Altman, Cathie Altman, Matthew Spain, Ivan Williams, William Nobel, Robbie Kruithoff, Gene Gallerano, Peter Haberman, Lance Hoffman, Marnie Black, Scott Black, Amy Zelnick, Brad Zelnick
 

Registration Information

For information about Arts Circle, learn more, or contact Jennifer Murby at jmurby@filmindependent.org.

Arts Circle, Film Lover and Secret Members can register for this event starting at 5:00 pm on Tuesday, March 18. | Registration is free; one registration per Membership. | Proof of Member status is required to complete registration.
 

Tickets/Parking

On the day of the event, registered Members may pick up tickets as early as one hour prior to the scheduled start time – look for Film Independent signage. Tickets are nontransferable and for general, unreserved theater seating only (except for Arts Circle Members). Attendees must be in their seat(s) at least 15 minutes prior to the advertised start time or seat(s) may be released. Entry/seating will be handled on a first-come, first-served basis. Guests may not enter the venue without the Member who registered them present. Registration does not guarantee entry, even with a ticket in hand.

Masks are optional. This is subject to change as we continue to monitor public health guidance.

Complimentary parking provided with validation. Garage entrance on Masselin.
 

Accessibility

Film Independent is committed to hosting events that are accessible. For inquiries regarding accessibility, or to request an accommodation, please contact us at accessibility@filmindependent.org or 323 556 9305.
 

Screening Policies

Availability window and registration capacity may vary; always register as early as possible. Limit one registration per Membership, per event.

Members are required to follow all rules and guidelines as laid out by Film Independent and/or its partners. If a guest has been registered for an event by a Member, these policies shall apply to that guest. Violation of policies may result in suspension or termination of Membership.

Event details and guest participation are subject to change or cancellation without prior notice.