Cinecon Pop-up Classic Film Festival Returns to El Segundo on March 21

The Cinecon Pop-up Classic Film Festival will make its much-anticipated return to the Old Town Music Hall in El Segundo on March 21, 2026. This year’s event promises to showcase a selection of rare films and engage attendees with special guest appearances, all while supporting the historic venue and the broader Cinecon Classic Film Festival.

Set to run from 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., the festival will funnel its proceeds directly to the Old Town Music Hall and the upcoming Cinecon Classic Film Festival, which will celebrate its 62nd year over Labor Day weekend. The venue for Cinecon 62, which previously took place at the Writers Guild Theater in Beverly Hills, will be revealed during the pop-up event.

According to Stan Taffel, a motion picture archivist and president of Cinecon, the festival offers a unique opportunity for film lovers. He stated, “We love the town and we get to run films and see friends, and don’t have to wait until Labor Day weekend.” Taffel noted that the inaugural pop-up festival in 2023 was met with enthusiasm, leading to this year’s repeat event.

Featured Films and Special Guests

Key highlights of the festival include a 4K restoration of the classic film “House of Strangers” (1949), starring Edward G. Robinson. This closing film will feature a discussion with Robinson’s granddaughter, Francesca Robinson, starting at 6:25 p.m.. Another notable guest, actress Patty McCormack, known for her role in the iconic film “The Bad Seed” (1956), will discuss her first movie, “Two Gals and a Guy” (1951), which will be screened at 9:50 a.m..

The festival will open with a short film from 1939, “Find What’s Wrong,” followed by a restoration of the silent film “The Johnstown Flood” (1926) at 11:15 a.m., featuring live musical accompaniment by Jon Mirsalis. After a lunch break, an organ demonstration on the Mighty Wurlitzer will occur at 2:00 p.m..

Additionally, the festival will present a world premiere of a Trucolor restoration of “Night Time in Nevada” (1948) at 3:30 p.m., providing audiences with a rarely seen colour version of this classic film.

Community Engagement and Historical Significance

Executive Director and CFO of the Old Town Music Hall, Angie Hougen, expressed her excitement about the festival. She emphasized the importance of showcasing film restorations and the collaboration with major studios such as Paramount and Disney to bring these films back to life. “It’s a win-win for both of us,” Hougen said, highlighting the positive impact on both the audience and the Cinecon attendees.

The Old Town Music Hall itself has a rich history, having opened in 1921 as the El Segundo State Theater. It features a Mighty Wurlitzer pipe organ from 1925, which has been restored and is in operation every weekend. “We’re one of the few theaters in the country that runs a Mighty Wurlitzer every single weekend,” Hougen noted, underscoring the dedication of volunteers and board members who support the theater’s ongoing maintenance and programming.

Attendees can purchase tickets and find additional information by visiting the Old Town Music Hall website or Cinecon’s official page. With a lineup filled with cinematic treasures and engaging discussions, the Cinecon Pop-up Classic Film Festival is poised to be a highlight for film enthusiasts in El Segundo this March.