The third Jalopnik Film Festival presented by Mazda will open with a party, a chance to drive the new MX-5 Miata around an airport, and a screening of Adam Carolla’s Winning: The Racing Life of Paul Newman on September 25th at Santa Monica Airport’s Barker Hangar. RSVP here for the party, full details below.


I couldn’t be more pleased to announce that we’re taking over part of an airport or that Mazda, makers of the MX-5 Miata and other vehicles we write about a lot, will be our partners for the festival. There’s so much happening next week in Los Angeles that I can barely fit them all in one post so I’ll do my best to sum up the events.

Short version: Go here to RSVP for the free screening/party and go here to get tickets for the Saturday screenings. YOU HAVE TO RSVP.


UPDATE: We’re out of ride-and-drive spots right now but we’re going to try and add some more.

Friday, September 25th: Mazda rides/Winning screening/Adam Carolla Q&A/Party

We’ll be taking over Barker Hanger at Santa Monica Airport starting at 4 p.m. for rides and drives in the all new 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata.

At 7 p.m. we’ll be showing Adam Carolla’s critically acclaimed Winning: The Racing Life of Paul Newman for free, with drinks and food available for purchase. It’s free, but you need to RSVP right here. If you buy one of the VIP tickets you also get a voucher for food and drink.


Following the screening Matt Farah will hold a Q&A with Adam Carolla to talk about the film. After that, we’re going to have a bigass party with a DJ spinning until 11:30 p.m..

Saturday, September 26th: Film Screenings, Premiers, Short Film Contest, Panels


Do you love films? We love films. We’re going to have a full day of screenings at the historic and beautiful Theatre at Ace Hotel Downtown Los Angeles starting at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 26th.

This, you will need a ticket for, and you can get the $25 general admission ticket, which gets you into all the films, or the $75 VIP ticket, which includes popcorn and a drink and lunch, as well as the special access to the party on Friday.


Here’s some of what we’re bringing:

Steve McQueen: The Man And Le Mans Le Mans may be adored by car film enthusiasts, but this documentary captures the high price Steve McQueen paid professionally and personally to get the film made. Mad Max (The Original) George Miller imagines a post-apocalyptic world with cars so amazing you find yourself rooting for the end of the world. All Cars Go to Heaven, Part Two A sneak preview of the second installment of The Smoking Tire’s road trip epic. Havana Motor Club This stirring documentary captures the spirit of underground Cuban car enthusiasts trying to hold the first sanctioned race since the 1959 Revolution. Jalopnik Season Two Preview We’ll be showing a preview of our new season of shows for our YouTube channel before anyone else gets to see it. Being Evel The story of America’s greatest daredevil Evel Knievel as told by superfan Johnny Knoxville. Ronin Many car buffs and film buffs believe Frankenheimer’s spy classic is secretly the best car chase movie ever made. In Loving Memory More than 240 competitors have died at the Isle of Man TT and this short film captures the spirit that draws them back every year. Jalopnik Short Film Contest Selections The 11 short films selected by our panel of esteemed jurors, representing the best work of some familiar talent and some new directors.


We’ll also have panels but we’re running out of space and we don’t want to overwhelm you with all the awesome. We’ll also be handing out awards to the best filmmakers, including the audience choice award.

How Do I Participate?

The best way to experience all of this is to be in Los Angeles on September 25th and 26th and buy a ticket. Even without a ticket you can take part in the ride-and-drive on that Friday and come to the party to watch a big, free screening of Winning with Adam Carolla and the entire Jalopnik team BUT YOU HAVE TO RSVP. There might also be stickers. Just saying.


Planning to come? Let us know in the comments and we’ll look out for you!