Join us at Hauser & Wirth Downtown Los Angeles for a screening of two student-directed short films celebrating the Cal State LA course Community Impact Media a shared project between the gallery and the university. Student documentary filmmakers worked closely with two Altadena-based nonprofits—Friends In Deed and Stars —to document how each organization responds to community needs with compassion, care and mentorship.

Created in the wake of the wildfires in Altadena, Christina Quarles’ exhibition ‘The Ground Glows Black’, reflects a sense of displacement—geographical, emotional and bodily. Her practice contemplates the instability of existence, the extent of resilience and what it means to inhabit multiple realities at once. Taking inspiration from the themes echoed throughout the exhibition, each student group highlights the two organizations devoted to supporting the community with care and inclusivity.

This event is free to attend and open to the public; however, due to limited seating, reservations are recommended.

About Community Impact Media
Community Impact Media is a collaborative initiative between Cal State LA’s Television, Film, and Media Department and Hauser & Wirth Los Angeles. This hands-on documentary course pairs student filmmakers with local nonprofit partners to produce short films that illuminate stories of impact, resilience, and community solidarity. At the culmination of the semester, the student-directed documentaries premiere publicly at Hauser & Wirth Los Angeles as part of a screening event that connects art, media, and civic engagement.

About Friends In Deed
Friends In Deed is an interfaith nonprofit that has served the Pasadena and Altadena community for more than a century. The organization provides a network of supportive services designed to meet people where they are with dignity, compassion, and care. Its core programs include a food pantry, day shelter services through The Women’s Room, street outreach and housing support, eviction prevention and rental assistance, and seasonal shelter during extreme weather.

About Stars
Stars is a youth-centered nonprofit focused on mentoring, education, and holistic support for young people in the Pasadena area. The organization’s programs span mentorship, after-school and summer enrichment, college preparation, wellness services, and counseling—working to affirm and equip students with the tools they need to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. Recognizing the impact of community stressors like the Eaton Fires, Stars also provides disaster relief resources and personalized outreach to youth and families navigating crises. Through inclusive support systems and meaningful relationships between mentors and students, Stars fosters resilience, purpose, and opportunity for young people across multiple stages of development.