Outside the Box [Office] and Pale Blue Dot Films invite you and a guest to attend

A Special Theatrical Screening of

HEATHENS

Produced and Directed by David Cowan and SCA Alumnus Shawn Hardin

Followed by a Q&A with David Cowan and Shawn Hardin

7:00 P.M. on Tuesday, October 27th, 2026

The Eileen Norris Cinema Theater at the Frank Sinatra Hall
3507 Trousdale Parkway, Los Angeles, CA 90089

FREE ADMISSION. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. RSVPs REQUIRED.

FOOD AND DRINKS ARE STRICTLY PROHIBITED IN THE AUDITORIUM.

CLICK HERE TO RSVP

About Heathens

Five Americans arrive as strangers at a secluded retreat in the Blue Ridge Mountains — many without their families' knowledge — seeking respite from the guilt, shame, fear, and loneliness of hiding who they are. Each has quietly rejected the religion that raised them, now fearing the cost of honesty: family, security, livelihood. They are not alone. Over 80 million American adults hide their religious disbelief or exaggerate their faith. By the end of the weekend, the five non-believers resolve to reclaim their lives, forging a friendship that carries them through the storms awaiting them back home. In this warm, funny, and unexpectedly joyful story, they rebuild community, inspired by the gospel music of home, reclaiming the slur “heathen” as a proud new identity. For the first time in their lives, five Heathens discover who they truly are.

Provided courtesy of Pale Blue Dot Film. Running time: 87 minutes. 

https://heathens.community/

About the Guests

DAVID COWAN (Producer, Director)

David Cowan is an Emmy-nominated filmmaker and science philanthropist whose work explores the intersection of belief, truth, and discovery. A member of the DGA and PGA, he is a 2026 News & Documentary Emmy nominee for Outstanding Short Documentary as producer of HEIST, and the creator and producer of the award-winning MTV documentary Afghan Dreamers. He serves on the boards of the Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics and the Center for Inquiry, and brings a storyteller's eye and a scientist's skepticism to Heathens, his feature directorial debut.

SHAWN HARDIN (Producer, Director, SCA Alumnus)

Shawn Hardin is a filmmaker, DGA director, and former Television Academy governor whose work spans documentary, narrative, and interactive storytelling. A graduate of USC Cinema-Television, he has directed, produced, shot, and edited more than seventy projects for NBC, MTV, Columbia TriStar, and 20th Century Fox, with independent films screening at the American Film Institute, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and festivals worldwide. He co-founded the Producers Guild of America's New Media Council and later founded OnlySky, serving America's religiously unaffiliated. As co-director of Heathens, he brings a lifelong fascination with belief, identity, and reinvention to the screen.

About Outside the Box [Office]

Outside the Box [Office] is a weekly showcase for upcoming releases highlighting world cinema, documentary and independent film titles. The series draws from around the globe to present movies that may challenge, inspire or simply entertain.

To view the calendar of screenings, click here

To SUBSCRIBE to our MAILING LIST for upcoming free screenings and events, e-mail the word "Subscribe" to: aago@cinema.usc.edu
 

Check-In & Reservations

This program is open to all eligible individuals. The USC School of Cinematic Arts operates all of its programs and activities consistent with the University’s Notice of Non-Discrimination. Eligibility is not determined based on race, sex, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or any other prohibited factor.

This screening is free of charge and open to the public. A reservation confirmation will automatically be sent to your e-mail account upon successfully making an RSVP through this website. Doors will open at 6:30 P.M.

All SCA screenings are OVERBOOKED to ensure seating capacity in the theater, therefore seating is not guaranteed based on RSVPs. The RSVP list will be checked in on a first-come, first-served basis until the theater is full. Once the theater has reached capacity, we will no longer be able to admit guests, regardless of RSVP status.

Accessibility Needs

Individuals with disabilities who need accommodations to attend this event may contact Alessandro Ago, Assistant Dean, Programming and Special Events, at aago@cinema.usc.edu or 213-740-2330. It is requested that individuals requiring accommodations or auxiliary aids such as sign language interpreters and alternative format materials notify us at least seven days prior to the event. Every reasonable effort will be made to provide reasonable accommodations in an effective and timely manner.

Parking

On-campus parking at the University of Southern California is limited. We recommend buying a day pass for the Royal Street Structure, located at the intersection of Royal Street and W. Jefferson Blvd. Parking passes are $20/car. For more information about parking at USC, please visit USC Transportation Website:

https://transnet.usc.edu/index.php/daily-and-hourly-parking/
https://transnet.usc.edu/index.php/about-us/entrance-hours/