Outside the Box [Office] and Amazon MGM Studios
invite you and a guest to attend

A Special Sneak Preview Screening of

THE BLUFF

Directed by Frank E. Flowers
Written by Joe Ballarini and Frank E. Flowers
Produced by Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Michael Disco, Angela Russo-Otstot,
Anthony Russo, Joe Russo, Cisely Saldana, Mariel Saldana, 

Followed by a Q&A with SCA Alumni Frank E. Flowers and Joe Ballarini

7:00 P.M. on Wednesday, February 18th, 2026

The Ray Stark Family Theatre, SCA 108
George Lucas Building, USC School of Cinematic Arts Complex
900 W. 34th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90007

FREE ADMISSION. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. RSVPs REQUIRED.
RSVPs ARE NON-TRANSFERABLE.

FOOD AND DRINKS ARE STRICTLY PROHIBITED IN THE AUDITORIUM.
 

CLICK HERE TO RSVP
 

About The Bluff

When her tranquil life on a remote island is shattered by the return of her vengeful former captain, a skilled ex-pirate must confront her bloody past and unleash her deadly talents to save her family from a ruthless siege.

Provided courtesy of Amazon MGM Studios. Rated R. Running time: 113 minutes.

About the Guests

FRANK E. FLOWERS (Co-Writer, Director, Executive Producer, SCA Alumnus)

Frank E. Flowers is an award-winning Caribbean filmmaker. After moving from the Cayman Islands to study screenwriting at the University of Southern California (USC), Frank E. made his debut with a short film, SWALLOW, which was an official Sundance selection and later acquired by HBO. Shortly after, Flowers returned to his homeland to direct the independent-thriller, HAVEN, starring Zoe Saldaña, Orlando Bloom, Anthony Mackie, and the late Bill Paxton.

Select credits include co-writing the BAFTA nominated METRO MANILA, followed by SHOOTING STARS about the origins of basketball phenomenon LeBron James for Universal/Peacock. He most recently collaborated with Academy Award nominee Terrance Winter on the feature script, BOB MARLEY: ONE LOVE for Paramount Pictures. In addition to his professional endeavors, Frank E. maintains a strong commitment to advancing Caymanian culture in film by serving as Chairperson of the Cayman Islands Film Commission Advisory Board.

JOE BALLARINI (Co-Writer, SCA Alumnus)

Joe Ballarini is a left-handed, Italian-American father, husband, and dog-rescuer who also gets to write and direct movies. Joe began his professional career at the age of eleven as an actor, starring in commercials and tv shows -- all because he wanted to learn the craft of filmmaking from a young age. Yeah, he was a weird kid. Attending the USC School of Cinematic Arts, Joe wrote and directed the 35mm sci-fi family drama, NUCLEAR FAMILY and sold his first script, THE SPY NEXT DOOR when he was only 23.

Both inspired and terrified at becoming a new father, Joe wrote the three part book series A BABYSITTER’S GUIDE TO MONSTER HUNTING, published by Harper Collins. Joe then adapted his own novels into a movie for Netflix starring Tom Felton, Tamara Smart, produced by Walden Media, and Ivan Reitman's Montecito Films.

Joe has written blockbuster spectacles (THE RESIDENCE for Jerry Bruckheimer, THE LEGENDARY MCCLOUDS for Paramount), inspiring true stories (CASSIUS for Universal directed by Lee Daniels, the upcoming WE CARRY KEVAN that Joe will direct), family animation (MY LITTLE PONY: THE MOVIE aka his five year-old favorite movie), the screwball indie comedy FATHER VS SON which he directed and darkly fun genre stories like his zombie prom comedy, DANCE OF THE DEAD released by Sam Rami's Ghost House which has become a cult classic since its rowdy premiere at SXSW.

Currently, Joe is adapting his thriller novel RIPPED, soon to be released by Simon and Schuster, for Dwayne Johnson's Seven Bucks Productions and 20th Century Fox while writing a super secret project with Frank Flowers and AGBO that he can't even mention so please don't ask him.

Joe is also a volunteer for the Young Storyteller’s Program, International Justice Mission, and My Friend’s Place.

Growing up on the Block Island sound in Rhode Island, Joe was captivated by stories of danger and adventure on the high seas and dreamed of writing an authentic, original, action-packed pirate film... a dream which has become real with THE BLUFF.

Check-In & Reservations

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/

Contact Information

Name: Alessandro Ago
Email: aago@cinema.usc.edu