Picks

MOVIES

Contemporary Middle Eastern Cinema Learn about Middle Eastern culture at “Contemporary Middle Eastern Cinema,” a three-day film festival with many screenings exploring emerging and established filmmaking from the Middle East, including recent works from Algeria, Egypt, Lebanon, Palestine, Jordan, Iraq and Iran. The festival will look at unifying themes in Middle Eastern cinema and address the difficulty filmmakers face when taking on political and civil rights issues that are at odds with their governments. USC School of Cinematic Arts, Norris Cinema Theatre and Frank Sinatra Hall, 900 W. 34th St., L.A. Fri. to Sun. Free. Electronic RSVPs required. Screening times vary. https://www.cinema.usc.edu.

Jay and Silent Bob Get Old Silent Bob, a.k.a. director Kevin Smith, is on the road touting his new film, “Red State,” but co-host Jason Mewes will be joined onstage this week by cult character actor and former San Quentin inmate Danny Trejo. The star of “Machete,” who is best known for playing criminals and villains, will have a chance to strut his funny side. The Jon Lovitz Comedy Club, 1000 Universal Studios Blvd. No. 222, Universal City. 10 p.m. $20. thejonlovitzcomedyclub.com.

ART

Rodarte: States of Matter The complex craftsmanship of on-the-rise American designers Kate and Laura Mulleavy is on full display in “Rodarte: States of Matter,” their first West Coast solo exhibition, an interactive fusion of fashion and sculpture that will also feature the ballet costumes they designed for “Black Swan.” MOCA Pacific Design Center, 8687 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood. Fri.-June 5. Free. (213) 621-1741. https://www.moca.org

EVENTS

The Official Twilight Convention: Finally, somebody starts paying attention to little Stephenie Meyer’s fantasies of repressed teen desire filtered through the prism of bloodthirsty but sort of ethical vampires. There will be something for every fanatic at this conference celebrating Meyer’s series of books and movies, including a panel on bloodsucker lexicon, a karaoke party with Tinsel Korey and Julia Jones, and a vampire ball where you should be able to strut in your finest velvet and high collar. Marriott Los Angeles Airport, 5855 W. Century Blvd., L.A. 1-6 p.m. Fri., 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sat., 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sun. $64. (310) 641-5700.