About this Event
Celebrate National STEM/STEAM Day on Sunday, November , for Gardena Cinema's first of three Science on Screen grant-funded events:
Red Planet, Green Thumb: Growing Food Against the Odds pairs the Sloan-supported film The Martian with a hands-on exploration of how scientists grow food in environments where traditional farming methods seem impossible. In the film, astronaut Mark Watney must create a functioning garden with severely limited water, soil, space, and supplies. Paul Hudak and Namanpreet Bains of Growing Together Education and a recent high-school graduate will connect Watney’s experiment to innovative growing projects operating across Southern California.
Join us for a pre-show activity where you get to harvest lettuce and cilantro, plant your own lettuce and edible flowers in pots to take home!
5pm Lobby open for activities
6pm Presentation
6:30pm The Martian
During a manned mission to Mars, Astronaut Mark Watney is presumed dead after a fierce storm and left behind by his crew. But Watney has survived and finds himself stranded and alone on the hostile planet. With only meager supplies, he must draw upon his ingenuity, wit and spirit to subsist and find a way to signal to Earth that he is alive. Millions of miles away, NASA and a team of international scientists work tirelessly to bring "the Martian" home, while his crewmates concurrently plot a daring, if not impossible, rescue mission. As these stories of incredible bravery unfold, the world comes together to root for Watney's safe return. Based on a best-selling novel.
THE MARTIAN is a 2015 science fiction survival film directed by Ridley Scott from a screenplay by Drew Goddard. Based on Andy Weir's 2011 novel, and distributed by 20th Century Fox, the film stars Matt Damon, alongside an ensemble cast featuring Jessica Chastain, Jeff Daniels, Kristen Wiig, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Sean Bean, Michael Peña, Kate Mara, Sebastian Stan, and Mackenzie Davis. The film depicts an astronaut's struggle to survive on Mars after being left behind and NASA's efforts to return him to Earth.
Producer Simon Kinberg began developing the film after Fox optioned the novel in March 2013. Goddard, who adapted the novel into a screenplay, was initially attached to direct, but production was only approved after Scott replaced Goddard as director and Damon was cast as the main character. Filming began in November 2014 and lasted about 70 days, on a $108 million budget. Twenty sets were built on one of the largest sound stages in the world in Budapest, Hungary. Wadi Rum in Jordan was also used for exterior filming.
The Martian premiered at the 2015 Toronto International Film Festival on September 11, 2015, and was released in the United Kingdom on September 30, and in the United States on October 2, in 2D, 3D, RealD 3D, IMAX 3D, and 4DX formats. The film opened to critical acclaim, and grossed $653.6 million worldwide, becoming the tenth-highest-grossing film of 2015, as well as Scott's highest-grossing film to date. Named by the National Board of Review and by the American Film Institute one of the top-ten films of 2015, The Martian received numerous accolades, including seven nominations at the 88th Academy Awards.
THIS IS AN INDOOR CINEMA EXHIBITION. PLEASE PURCHASE ONE (1) TICKET PER PERSON.
ONE (1) admission ticket is required PER PERSON! If tickets are not available on Eventbrite, please purchase your tickets at the box office on the day of the event OR go to www.GardenaCinema.com.
FAQ's
WHAT TIME DOES THE MOVIE START?
THE MARTIAN starts on Sunday, November 8, 2026 at 6:30 pm. Doors open at 5:00 pm. Special learning and planting activities start at 5:00 pm in our lobby. Please arrive early to harvest lettuce and cilantro and plant your own lettuce and edible flowers in pots to take home!
WHAT TIME CAN I ARRIVE?
Attendees will be allowed to enter the auditorium up to 90 minutes prior to show time.
WHERE DO I PARK?
Free parking is available in the parking lot adjacent to the Gardena Cinema on the north side.
WHERE IS GARDENA CINEMA?
Gardena Cinema is located at 14948 Crenshaw Blvd, Gardena, CA 90249.
HOW DO I REDEEM MY TICKET?
Upon purchase, ticket will be emailed to you as a PDF attachment from Eventbrite. When you arrive to the event, please show the entrance attendant the bar code on your ticket at the entrance to the cinema, either by holding up your printed version, or by displaying it on your phone or smart device. Attendant will scan it to check you in, and you'll be good to go into the auditorium!
CAN I BRING FOOD / SNACKS?
NO! This is an indoor screening. Please do not bring outside food or drinks inside the cinema. Tasty refreshments and fresh popped popcorn will be sold at the cinema snack bar.
WILL YOU HAVE RESTROOMS?
YES! Gardena Cinema's lobby, snack bar, and restrooms will be open.
MAY I BRING MY PET WITH ME?
Sorry, PETS ARE NOT ALLOWED INSIDE THE ACTUAL CINEMA BUILDING, (where restrooms and snack bar are located).
WILL YOU BE HOSTING MORE OF THESE?
YES! We intend to continue curating and programming some of the BEST cinema in Los Angeles County! We provide both an intimate Drive-In style setting, as well as traditional indoor cinema experiences. Please support by following us on Instagram and Facebook -- we'll keep you posted on our screenings and events! @GardenaCinema
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok @GARDENACINEMA.
Website: www.gardenacinema.com
Event venue & nearby stays
Gardena Cinema, 14948 Crenshaw Boulevard, Gardena, United States
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups — all the happenings, one place.