Being Heumann Q&A at the Aero Theatre in Santa Monica

Some history lessons arrive as a courtroom drama or a documentary. This one arrives as a movie with Mark Ruffalo in it. Being Heumann tells the story of Judy Heumann and the 1977 occupation of a federal building, the longest in American history, and on Monday, October 26 it plays at the Aero Theatre in Santa Monica with a post-screening Q&A.

If you are scanning for things to do in Los Angeles that go beyond the usual weekend circuit, a Monday evening at a single-screen neighborhood cinema is a good answer.

When: Monday, October 26, 2026, 7:30 PM Where: Aero Theatre, 1328 Montana Ave, Santa Monica Price: Not listed on the source page, so check the theatre's own listing before you go

What the film is about

The setup is simple and strong. Judy Heumann, played by Ruth Madeley, and a loose coalition of outsiders decide they have waited long enough. What starts as one impulsive act becomes a sit-in as hundreds of people take over government offices and refuse to leave until the bureaucrat in their way, played by Mark Ruffalo, acts. The film follows the movement's accidental leaders as they try to find a path forward where none had been paved for them.

It is directed by Academy Award winner Sian Heder, who made CODA, and it is based on true events. It comes from Apple Original Films and screens here in DCP format.

Who is in the room afterward

The Q&A brings three people who shaped how the film looks and sounds: editor Geraud Brisson, composer Francesco Le Metre and costume designer Danny Glicker. Their jobs touch very different parts of the finished picture, from pacing and score to how a 1970s protest actually looks on screen. Expect a conversation about craft rather than plot, and a chance to hear how a period piece about disability rights was put together.

Getting there

The Aero sits on Montana Avenue in Santa Monica, a short drive from the Montana shopping strip and its restaurants, which makes an early dinner easy. Street parking in the area fills up on weeknights, so leave some extra time. Showtimes at the Aero often sell through when a Q&A is attached, so confirm availability before heading over.

If you are building a week around upcoming events Los Angeles has on offer, browse more picks on our arts and culture page and the Santa Monica neighborhood page.