'The Farwell' Screens at the 2019 Summer KCET Cinema Series

Following a screening of "The Farewell," writer/director Lulu Wang attended a Q&A hosted by Cinema Series host Pete Hammond. A funny and inspirational tale based on a true story from the life of filmmaker Lulu Wang. Billi (Awkwafina) is Chinese-born but has grown up in the U.S. When she reluctantly returns to China to see her grandmother who only has a short time to live, she realizes everyone has decided to conceal the truth from her grandmother and focus instead on a family wedding.

Lulu Wang is a classical pianist turned filmmaker. Her second feature film, "The Farewell" starring Awkwafina, premiered at Sundance 2019 in U.S. Dramatic Competition. She was listed by Variety as one of Ten Directors To Watch in 2019.

Born in Beijing, raised in Miami and educated in Boston, Lulu is a recipient of the Chaz and Roger Ebert Directing Fellowship, which was awarded at the 2014 Film Independent Spirit Awards. Her first feature film, "Posthumous," starring Jack Huston and Brit Marling, was released by The Orchard. She is also a 2014 Film Independent Project Involve Directing Fellow and a 2017 Sundance Fellow invited to participate in the FilmTwo Initiative for second time feature filmmakers.

See event photos and listen to the Q&A from the screening below.

1/2 Cinema Series host Pete Hammond with Writer/Director Lulu Wang after a screening of "The Farewell"

2/2 Cinema Series host Pete Hammond and Writer/Director Lulu Wang participate in a Q&A discussion after a screening of "The Farewell"