Staff Report
As one of the most beloved film series comes to a close later this year, the Central Coast Film Society will celebrate that galaxy far, far away with a community screening of “Star Wars: Episode IV, A New Hope,” with special guest Ken Napzok, an author and an Arroyo Grande native.
The movie screening and celebration will be from 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24, at the Clark Center in Arroyo Grande.
Arroyo Grande native Ken Napzok, an expert in all things Star Wars, will speak at a screening on Aug. 24 at the Clark Center in Arroyo Grande.
“I remember seeing Star Wars for the first time at a friend’s house, and thought “What is this?’ I was hooked immediately and remember going to opening night of Return of the Jedi in 1983,” Napzok said.
He is a co-creator of the ForceCenter podcast with Joseph Scrimshaw and Jennifer Landa, is a frequent contributor on Collider Jedi Council, and is the 2017 Movie Trivia Schmoedown Star Wars Champion.
The fundraising event is hosted by the Central Coast Film Society, a new nonprofit dedicated to fostering future media artists, and creating opportunities to get involved in the industry by hosting lectures, screenings and a film festival in the Santa Ynez Valley in fall of 2020.
“We are so thrilled to have Ken be a part of this event. He is a perfect spokesman for the fandom of Star Wars. The audience will be captivated by his insight and humor with all things Star Wars,” said Daniel Lahr, executive director of the CCFS.
Ken “The Pitboss” Napzok will introduce the film and participate in a post-screening Q and A.
Napzok recently published his first book, “Why We Love Star Wars: The Great Moments That Built A Galaxy Far, Far Away,” released by Mango Publishing.
“The book is really about the journey as a fan of the series. You don’t have to be an expert in Star Wars to get what I am talking about. It’s written for every generation of Star Wars fans,” he said.
Napzok grew up in Arroyo Grande and attended Arroyo Grande High School, graduating in 1994. He was a radio disc jockey for a local station before it was taken over by a larger company, and he moved to Los Angeles in 1998, starting his career in stand-up comedy.
Napzok was also a screenwriter and his day job was producing podcasts. In addition to hosting various shows on the ForceCenter podcast feed, he has his personal podcast, The Napzok Files.
“I am excited to be coming back to the Central Coast and talking about what I love. I miss Arroyo Grande and Pismo and I can’t wait to visit my old stomping grounds,” Napzok said.
The event has several levels of participation from the VIP Experience ($35) starting at 4:30 p.m., where a limited amount of tickets will be sold to attend a pre-screening, meet and greet with Napzok and receive a signed copy of his book. There will be reserved seating included.
The early admission ($15) tickets starting at 5 p.m., will have access to theater seating an hour before the screening and access to pre-screening activities before general admission.
General admission ($10/adults and $7/kids)will begin at 5:30 p.m. and the screening begins at 6 p.m.
Costumes are encouraged.
For more information on the Central Coast Film Society visit www.centralcoastfilmsociety.org or follow it on social media. To purchase tickets visit www.clarkcenter.org/event/star-wars-iv-a-new-hope/.
