The screening series will be each Wednesday through Nov. 12 at the Cinèmas Palme D’Or in Palm Desert. Pete Hammond, host of the KCET Cinema Series in Los Angeles, will moderate a discussion with the filmmakers, producers or actors from the films after most screenings.

The Desert Sun and KCET are giving away a pair of tickets to three winners for all eight screenings, including this Wednesday’s opening reception. To enter, please go to mydesert.com/ filmcontest and leave a comment saying which film in the series you are most looking forward to seeing. Comments must be submitted by Wednesday at 11 a.m., and winners will be drawn randomly from all participants at that time.

The first film is “The Lucky Ones” starring Rachel McAdams, Tim Robbins and Michael Pena and featuring an appearance by co-writer and director Neil Burger on Wednesday.

The remaining schedule of films, with special guests to be announced, is:

Oct. 1: “How to Lose Friends & Alienate People,” directed by Robert Weide and starring Gillian Anderson, Jeff Bridges, Emily Denniston and Kirsten Dunst.

Oct. 8: “Rachel Getting Married,” directed by Jonathan Demme and starring Anne Hathaway.

Oct. 15: “I’ve Loved You So Long,” a French film that screened at the Telluride Film Festival.

Oct. 22: Film TBA.

Oct. 29: “The Soloist,” from director Joe Wright and starring Robert Downey Jr. and Jamie Foxx.

Nov. 5: “Captain Abu Raed,” a nominee for an Oscar in the Foreign Language category that won the Audience Award at Sundance this year.

Nov. 12: Film TBA.

Screenings start at 7 p.m., and there will be an opening reception for the first film Wednesday at 6 p.m. For more information about the series and reservations, please call 327-0918 or e-mail: kcetdesertcities@kcet.org.

source: mydesert.com