The Downtown Festival: Slauson Rec + Q&A
Documentary | 2025 | 147MIN
Please select a time
Buy TicketsSlauson Rec, a film by Leo Lewis O’Neil
New York Premiere
Date: Sunday, October 11th, 2026
Time: 10:00pm
Slauson Rec examines the fine line between mentorship and manipulation in the pursuit of making art within an experimental theater collective. In 2018, Shia LaBeouf launched a free theater school at the Slauson Rec Center in South Central, Los Angeles. What started as an open, egalitarian workshop quickly evolved into intense daily rehearsals led by Shia, pushing participants to their limits. First-time filmmaker Leo Lewis O’Neil, a participant from day one, documents this complex journey of shifting power dynamics, and the lasting impact on the diverse group over three years.
Screening followed by a conversation between director Leo Lewis O’Neil, moderated by SPECIAL GUEST
ABOUT THE DOWNTOWN FESTIVAL:
The Downtown Festival is a multidisciplinary celebration of independent film, music, art, and culture held across Lower Manhattan each October. Founded and directed by filmmaker Rebekah Sherman-Myntti, the festival brings together artists across disciplines and generations through film premieres, anniversary screenings, live music performances, artist talks, and special one-night-only events. Programming is led by Sherman-Myntti and Associate Director Briana Bursten, with a focus on discovery, experimentation, community, and genuine artist-to-artist exchange. The festival’s film program runs October 9-18 at Roxy Cinema, with additional programming and special events taking place all over downtown.
The Downtown Festival is a multidisciplinary celebration of independent film, music, art, and culture held across Lower Manhattan each October. Founded and directed by filmmaker Rebekah Sherman-Myntti, the festival brings together artists across disciplines and generations through film premieres, anniversary screenings, live music performances, artist talks, and special one-night-only events. Programming is led by Sherman-Myntti and Associate Director Briana Bursten, with a focus on discovery, experimentation, community, and genuine artist-to-artist exchange. The festival’s film program runs October 9-18 at Roxy Cinema, with additional programming and special events taking place all over downtown.
Upcoming Shows
