CCSPA Film Screening Event
Friday, May 23rd 5:00 -9:00 pm
Fremont Theater, 1035 Monterey St, San Luis Obispo, CA
Join us this Memorial Day weekend at the Fremont Theater for a transformational evening celebrating national parks and all public lands. Director Brendan Hall joins us to present the award-winning feature documentary Out There: A National Parks Story, following a 10,000 mile road trip through the U.S. national parks with his childhood friend to tell stories of the incredible people they meet along the way. We will also be joined by the film’s music composer Elizabeth P.W. and musician Dylan McKinstry for a live performance of music from the film. This is an evening of wonder, learning, and community as we raise awareness about the parks in SLO County—State, City, County, and privately managed parks and open spaces. The Central Coast State Parks Association(CCSPA) has curated a special night featuring a “park market”, a film screening and discussions about these vital places and the people who run them. Discover activities, career opportunities, and ways to engage with our parks. We can’t wait to see you at the Historic Fremont Theater for CCSPA’s screening of Out There: A National Park Story.
5 -6pm: Meet the people who run our parks and explore the opportunities available to you in our open spaces. Over 10 local agencies and nonprofits that manage and steward land in San Luis Obispo will be tabling in the Pit of the Fremont theater. Are you interested in a career with parks? This is a great opportunity to meet future employers or just get to know the kind folks that run our public lands!
6-7:15 pm: Out There: A National Parks Story Screening
7:30- 8pm: Q&A with Film Director, Brendan Hall and local Park representatives
Film Description:
A young filmmaker embarks on a 10,000-mile journey through national parks during the centennial year of the National Park Service. Along the way, he and his childhood best friend document the stories of park workers and visitors, unveiling the rich history of the parks and the people who help maintain them. The film is both a tribute to the national parks and a recognition of the individuals who experience, appreciate, and care for these national treasures.
About the Film Director: Brendan Hall is a documentary filmmaker known for his captivating stories about the natural world. As a director, cinematographer, and editor, his work connects with audiences through a unique visual style that blends sweeping landscapes with intimate human experiences. After graduating from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, he has directed projects for major brands and non-profits like National Geographic and Google, and contributed to documentaries such as PBS’s Bill Nye: Science Guy and Apple TV’s Red Heaven. Hall is also a member of the Explorers Club and has been featured on platforms including the TODAY Show and the Global Exploration Summit.
Brendan’s debut feature-length documentary, Out There: A National Parks Story, follows him and a childhood friend on a road trip across U.S. national parks, sharing profound stories from the people they meet along the way. The film has won multiple awards and has screened at notable venues such as the Explorers Club and Pixar Animation Studios. In 2022, he was selected to be part of the dearMoon lunar mission, further highlighting his commitment to exploration and storytelling. Outside of filmmaking, he enjoys night sky photography, scuba diving, and amateur juggling.
About the Composer: Elizabeth P.W. is a Hollywood Music in Media Award-nominated composer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist based in Brooklyn. Known for blending folk music with cinematic elements, her scores have premiered at prestigious festivals like Tribeca and DOC NYC, and she’s contributed to films on platforms such as Apple TV+, Peacock, and Netflix. Notably, she scored Triple Threat (streaming on Apple TV+), Seasons (a 2022 Student Academy Award winner), and the NAACP Image Award-nominated Gets Good Light. A recipient of the Alan Menken Scholarship, Elizabeth has worked with The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and performed her original music at institutions like Pixar and The Explorer’s Club. She’s also an adjunct professor at NYU’s Screen Scoring department and a seasoned songwriter with two albums and a semi-finalist song in the 2022 International Songwriting Competition.
This Screening was generously sponsored and made possible by the:
Harold J. Miossi Charitable Trust.
