Maya Fresno 16 Cinemas and MPX Theatre at The Square at Campus Pointe will feature a series of independent films for the fall season beginning Sept. 23.

The Fresno Indie and Classics Film Festival at Maya will screen on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays through Oct. 24, while other special independent films, which began Sept. 4, will get a full week booking, announced Frank Haffar, Maya president. The screenings will also feature talent from the film or film-related speakers present to meet the audiences and discuss the films.

“Moviegoers have requested indie films often, and we have worked to put together an excellent indie lineup of acclaimed films for everyone to enjoy. It is a delight to see such small works make a big statement,” Haffar said. “Maya is committed to searching and finding independent films for the Fresno community year-round that encourage people to look beyond big features.”

Admission to the film series is $6. The line-up is:

  • Sept. 23, 24 and 26: “Aguruphobia,” a serio-comedy starring Pepe Cerna and Jade Puga dealing with Internet guru Nanak meeting his biggest fan, agoraphobic Crystal Luna Star. Writer Puga will lead a Q&A discussion.
  • Sept. 30, Oct.1 and 3: “Best of Enemies,” featuring the real-life 1968 debates between noted conservative TV host and editor William Buckley and ultra-liberal, best-selling author and philosopher Gore Vidal. A live debate of the film’s issues follows the film.
  • Oct.7, 8 and 10: “Testament of Youth,” based on a real-life story of a British woman who recalls coming of age during World War I, a story of young love, the futility of war and how to make sense of the darkest times.
  • Oct. 14, 15 and 17: “The Prophet,” based on one of the world’s best-selling books, will make its debut at Maya, with animation done by those who worked on “Lion King,” and directed by Roger Allers, who directed “Lion King,” “Beauty and the Beast,“ and “Aladdin,” for Disney. Voices done by Liam Neeson and Salma Hayek, who produced. Writers will do a Q&A.
  • Oct.21, 22 and 24: “Infinitely Polar Bear,” starring Mark Ruffalo and Zoe Saldano. A manic-depressive father tries to win back his wife by attempting to take full responsibility of their two young, spirited daughters. Mental health professionals will provide information about bipolar disorder and treatment.

The remaining indie series films booked for full week-long engagements are available by purchasing the Maya Group ticket at the University Student Union at Fresno State for $7.50. They include:

  • Sept. 25: “Stonewall” portrays the riots that erupted on June 28, 1969, as members of New York’s LGBT community protested against discrimination and barricaded themselves at the Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village. The film stars Jonathan Rhys-Meyers and was directed by Roland Emmerich.
  • Oct. 1: “Aram, Aram,” the first American independent drama to take viewers inside the Armenian community of Los Angeles, where 12-year-old Armenian boy Aram is sent to live with his grandfather in America. Actors John Roohinian and Levi Sharafyan will be at the theater for the premiere and throughout the weekend for Q&A sessions.
  • Oct. 8: “He Named Me Malala,” the true story of a young Pakistani school girl, Malala Yousafzai, and a look at the events leading up to the Taliban attack on her for speaking out on girls’ education, and the aftermath, including her speech to the United Nations and earning the Nobel Peace Prize.
  • Oct.16: “Woodlawn,” based on a real-life story about a young football star who had to overcome racism and hatred in the early 1970s. It stars Sean Astin and John Voight as Bear Bryant.

Tickets are available on www.mayacinemas.com and www.fandango.com.

For more information, contact Larry Porcelli at larryp@mayacinemas.com or 714.316.9155.

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