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

A Special Advance Screening of

DREAMS IN NIGHTMARES

Written & Directed by Shatara Michelle Ford
Produced by Ben Stillman, Chris Quitos Cathcart, Ana Leocha, Tyler Bagley
Produced by Robina Riccitiello, Josh Peters
Produced by Pin-Chun Liu, P.G.A., Shatara Michelle Ford, P.G.A., Naïma Abed, P.G.A., Adam Wyatt Tate

Followed by a Q&A Shatara Michelle Ford

7:00 P.M. on Tuesday, August 4th, 2026

The Ray Stark Family Theater, SCA 108
George Lucas Building, USC School of Cinematic Arts Complex
900 W. 34th Street, 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

In Theaters on Friday, August 21st, 2026
 

About Dreams in Nightmares

With their sophomore feature, Shatara Michelle Ford (TEST PATTERN) puts their singular stamp on the American road movie. After an unceremonious layoff, Z (Denée Benton, “The Gilded Age”) embarks on a trip across the Midwestern United States in search of a friend that has seemingly disappeared off the grid. Traveling with her two closest friends, these three queer black femmes find their priorities tested as shapeshifting threats in each city expose (inter)personal and ideological fractures. Tender and expansive, Ford has created an ode to chosen family and the radical act of claiming space to dream – and exist – beyond the systems of an increasingly fraught country.

Provided courtesy of Lunette. Running time: 128 minutes.

https://www.lunette-films.com/dreams-in-nightmares

About the Filmmaker

SHATARA MICHELLE FORD (Writer, Director, Producer)

Shatara Michelle Ford (they/she/their) is an African American filmmaker. Their debut feature TEST PATTERN was released by Kino Lorber in 2021 to critical acclaim, landing on over a dozen Best of 2021 lists. It received three Gotham Award nominations including Best Feature, four Spirit Award Nominations including Best First Feature, an NAACP Image Award nomination, and won prizes from San Francisco Film Critics Circle, Austin Film Critics Association, Women Film Critics Circle, New Orleans Film Festival, and BlackStar Film Festival. Additionally, Ford was awarded the prestigious New Generation prize by the Los Angeles Film Critics Association, and is a 2021 Pew Fellow. Ford is represented by UTA and Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz.

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/

Contact Information

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