City of West Hollywood Invites Community to Free Film Screening of ‘Studio One Forever’

The City of West Hollywood is proud to support the presentation of a free community screening of the documentary film Studio One Forever at 6 p.m. on Friday, October 10, 2025 at the City of West Hollywood's Council Chambers/Public Meeting Room, located at 625 N. San Vicente Boulevard. The event is free to attend, but advance registration is required.

The opening reception and film screening will be followed by a panel discussion that will include director Marc Saltarelli, executive producer Alan Eichler, and producers Michael Alden Lloyd Coleman, Chris Isaacson, and Gary Steinberg. Other special guests interviewed during the film will be in attendance and available for the Q&A, including journalist David Del Valle, former City of West Hollywood Mayor/Councilmember John J. Duran, noted chef George Geary, Studio One's first bartender Michael Koth, and Emmy-winning writer and comedy legend Bruce Vilanch.

Studio One and its adjoining nightclub, The Backlot, were one of the centers of LGBTQ+ nightlife in West Hollywood from the mid-1970s through 1993 when Studio One and The Backlot closed. In 2017, the site gained the attention of historic preservationists who were concerned about development in the area. In an effort to preserve the history of Studio One, filmmakers Marc Saltarelli and Stephen Israel came together to create Studio One Forever, a documentary that tells the Studio One story.

Released in 2023, the award-winning documentary film Studio One Forever captures the history of one of the most notable historic music venues in the City of West Hollywood. Studio One welcomed patrons amidst the backdrop of disco's heyday, a progressing gay liberation movement clashing with 1980s conservatism, and the escalating AIDS crisis. The club offered people a sanctuary from rampant homophobia and police oppression. Studio One and The Backlot hosted legends such as Chita Rivera and Eartha Kitt and gave way to rising performers and comedians who ignited their careers there.

For those who cannot attend the screening, the film is also available to view on various streaming platforms. For more information, please visit https://www.studiooneforever.com.

For more information about this event, please contact Moya Márquez, City of West Hollywood Community Programs Coordinator, at (323) 848-6574 or at [email protected]. For people who are Deaf or hard of hearing dial 711 or 1-800-735-2929 (TTY) or 1-800-735-2922 (voice) for California Relay Service (CRS) assistance.

For up-to-date information about City of West Hollywood news and events, follow @wehocity on social media, sign-up for news updates at https://www.weho.org/email, and visit the City's calendar of meetings and events at https://www.weho.org/calendar. West Hollywood City Hall is open for walk-in services at public counters or by appointment by visiting https://www.weho.org/appointments. City Hall services are accessible by phone at (323) 848-6400 and via website at https://www.weho.org. Receive text updates by texting "WeHo" to (323) 848-5000.

For reporters and members of the media seeking additional information about the City of West Hollywood, please contact the City of West Hollywood's Public Information Officer, Sheri A. Lunn, at (323) 848-6391 or [email protected].