Outside the Box [Office] invites you and a guest to attend

A Special For Your Consideration Screening of
4 Academy Award-Nominated Short Films:

A Friend of Dorothy (Live Action, 21 min.)
Perfectly a Strangeness (Doc, 15 min.)
Retirement Plan (Animated, 7 min.)
Butcher's Stain (Live Action, 26 min.)

Followed by a Q&A with Retirement Plan filmmaker John Kelly,
and Butcher's Stain filmmakers Meyer Levinson-Blount & Oron Caspi

3:00 P.M. on Thursday, February 26th, 2026

The Michelle & Kevin Douglas IMAX Theater, RZC 119
@ The Robert Zemeckis Center for Digital Arts (RZC)
3131 S. Figueroa 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 A Friend of Dorothy

NOMINATED FOR BEST LIVE ACTION SHORT FILM AT THE 98TH ACADEMY AWARDS

A lonely widow's quiet life is upended when a teenage boy accidentally kicks his football into her garden.

Written & Directed by Lee Knight. Produced by James Dean, Scottie Fotré, and Max Marlow. Provided courtesy of Disney+. Running time: 21 minutes.

About Perfectly a Strangeness

NOMINATED FOR BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT FILM AT THE 98TH ACADEMY AWARDS

In the dazzling incandescence of an unknown desert, three donkeys discover an abandoned astronomical observatory and the universe. A sensorial, cinematic exploration of what a story can be.

Written, Directed, and Produced by Alison McAlpine. Provided courtesy of The Criterion Channel. Running time: 15 minutes.

About Retirement Plan

NOMINATED FOR BEST ANIMATED SHORT FILM AT THE 98TH ACADEMY AWARDS

In the throes of his overstimulated, energy poor midlife, Ray fantasises about everything he'd love to do in retirement, once he finally has the "time."

Directed by John Kelly. Written by John Kelly and Tara Lawall. Produced by Andrew Freedman and Julie Murnaghan. Provided courtesy of Disney+. Running time: 21 minutes.

About John Kelly:

John Kelly is a filmmaker specializing in animation. He studied at the Royal College of Art in London, and lives and works in Dublin, Ireland. His film RETIREMENT PLAN Won both the Grand Jury and Audience Awards in the Animated Short Competition at SXSW 2025. He’s currently developing a feature-length animated documentary, alongside too many other things.

About Butcher's Stain

NOMINATED FOR BEST LIVE ACTION SHORT FILM AT THE 98TH ACADEMY AWARDS

Samir, an Arab Israeli working in a supermarket in Tel Aviv, is accused of tearing down hostage posters in the break room. He sets out to prove his innocence to keep this job that he desperately needs.

Written, Directed, and Edited by Meyer Levinson-Blount. Produced by Oron Caspi. Provided courtesy of Tel Aviv University Film & Television Department. Running time: 26 minutes.

About the Filmmakers:

Meyer Levinson-Blount (Writer, Director, Editor)

My name is Meyer Levinson-Blount is a Tel Aviv based filmmaker, originally from the US. I moved to Israel when I was 12. Currently I am studying filmmaking in a BFA program at Tel Aviv University. I am a director and screenwriter with a strong background in producing, assistant directing, casting, and editing. My work often explores themes of identity, marginalization, and social and political tension, aiming to tell stories that are both emotionally grounded and socially relevant. I strive to bring a thoughtful approach to every film project, with a focus on character driven storytelling. I aim to create characters who are socially invisible to most of the society we live in, but at the same time are larger than life.

Oron Caspi (Producer)

My name is Oron Caspi. With over 25 years in the video industry as a producer, I strive to bring the director’s vision to life with focus on his or her needs and ambitions in mind. My background as an illustrator provides a rare tactical advantage, With deep technical roots in storyboarding, cinematography, and post-production. Currently finalizing my tenure at the Steve Tisch School of Film and Television at Tel Aviv University, Israel. I am working on several directorial projects myself, utilizing my rich professional experience. I am passionate about all forms of art, which is why I'm drawn to filmmaking as it is a collage of different art disciplines. I am currently based in Israel with my family.

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

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 2:30 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

NO STUDENT, STAFF, FACULTY OR THEATER PARKING IS AVAILABLE AT THE ROBERT ZEMECKIS CENTER.

We recommend Parking in the USC Shrine Parking Structure, located 686 W 32nd St. Parking passes may be purchased at the gate. Metered street parking is also available along 32nd street.

The USC Robert Zemeckis Center is located at 3131 South Figueroa St., Los Angeles, CA 90007, one block north of Parking Structure D, on the North side of the Shrine Auditorium. The RZC entrance is located at the rear of the building, behind the red fence on 32nd St.

Contact Information

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