Editor’s picks: Movies

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 Theater 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.