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

A Special Theatrical Screening of

THE GATES

Written & Directed by SCA Alumnus John Burr
Produced by Gary Glushon, Ross Kohn, and Nancy Leopardi

Followed by a Q&A with John Burr

7:00 P.M. on Tuesday, August 25th, 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 The Gates

The Gates follows three college students -- Derek, Kevin, and Tyon (Mason Gooding, Algee Smith, and Keith Powers) on a road trip gone wrong, as the three young men take an ill-advised shortcut through a remote gated community, where they find themselves trapped behind the walls after witnessing a murder. Over the course of the night, they find themselves blamed, hunted, and fractured by their own differing belief systems, while the perpetrator--James Van Der Beek, at his most charming and terrifying--emerges as the cunning patriarch that holds the entire community under his influence.

Provided courtesy of Lionsgate. Rated R. Running time: 99 minutes.

About the Guest

JOHN BURR (Writer/Director/SCA Alumnus)

John Burr is an award-winning filmmaker originally from Dallas, Texas, known for crafting elevated horror and psychological thrillers that blend genre tension with layered social perspective. Born the day after Halloween, Burr has been drawn to suspense storytelling since first picking up a camera, building a body of work that explores fear not only as spectacle, but as a reflection of human psychology and culture.

Burr’s latest feature, The Gates, which he wrote and directed, was released nationwide in theaters through Lionsgate on March 13, 2026. A tense, socially charged thriller, the film follows three college friends whose road trip spirals into terror after they witness a murder inside a powerful gated community. Starring Mason Gooding, Algee Smith, and Keith Powers, alongside James Van Der Beek, The Gates represents a bold expansion of Burr’s cinematic voice onto the national stage. Reactions were strong, with Collider calling it "an instant cult classic," as evidenced by a splashy arrival on Prime Video as one of the top 3 streamed films in the country.

His feature debut, Muse (2018), a psychological thriller inspired by Irish folklore, garnered international acclaim for its atmosphere, originality, and confident direction, establishing Burr as a bold new voice in genre filmmaking. The film has a celebrated festival run and was officially released by TriCoast Entertainment.

Burr is of mixed heritage; on his mother’s side, he is related to Bankie Banx, the iconic reggae artist from Anguilla, and on his father’s side, he is related to Aaron Burr, the winner of the Hamilton duel. He holds a Master’s degree from the USC School of Cinematic Arts and a Bachelor’s degree from Dartmouth College.

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