If you’re growing bored by the gown-and-hairstyle babble that awards season forces upon us film geeks, you’ll be relieved to hear it’s time for some smart talk; It’s Directors Close-Up time! Red-carpet-free, the five-week conversation series, (held February 11-March 12 at the Landmark, West Los Angeles) dives deep into the intellectual and creative challenges of filmmaking. Today, we’re excited to announce the line-up, featuring some of the past year’s most inspiring directors and their collaborators, including Alfonso Cuarón, on opening night, (who we’re pretty sure won’t be offering any commentary on Sandra Bullock’s hair—awesome as it is.)

To purchase passes/tickets for the event, click here. (The early registration deadline is Jan. 17, 2014.)

February 11: Alfonso Cuarón

The acclaimed director will discuss his career trajectory and the intricacies of making the groundbreaking film Gravity, one of the most stunning cinematic experiences of all time.

February 19: Scott Neustadter

A panel featuring the writer/producer of The Spectacular Now, Neustadter will explore the writing process and the writer/director collaboration.

February 26: The Independent Spirit: A Directors’ Roundtable

David Ansen, artistic director of the Los Angeles Film Festival, moderates a panel of independent filmmakers revealing the ways they balance their artistic integrity with the demands of the marketplace.

March 5: Scott Cooper

The director of Out of the Furnace will be joined by the film’s casting director Ronna Kress, cast member Tom Bower and moderator Catherine Hardwicke (Twilight, Thirteen) to discuss what’s behind a great performance.

March 12: Ernest Dickerson, Jeremy Podeswa and Jill Soloway

The trio whose credits include The Walking Dead, The Wire, Boardwalk Empire, The Newsroom and United States of Tara, explores the possibilities and limitations of the medium that’s being transformed by provocative subject matter, fresh creative choices and an influx of feature and independent film directors. The session is moderated by Alan Poul, executive producer/director, The Newsroom, Swingtown, Six Feet Under.

By Pamela Miller / Website & Grants Manager