FILMMAKER MARK CHRISTOPHER HAVENNER TO WALK TO 32 INDIE THEATERS 85 MILES ACROSS LOS ANGELES

Walkathon to Fund Initial Phase of Principal Photography for 'The King in Yellow'

LOS ANGELES, August 26, 2026 — Khepri Films announced today that writer/director Mark Christopher Havenner will launch a 30-day fundraising campaign for cosmic horror THE KING IN YELLOW on Seed&Spark built around a cross-city walkathon. The walk, totaling 85 miles across Los Angeles, will occur in five legs during the month of September, and will feature 32 indie cinemas across the city.

The film was selected for fiscal sponsorship by Film Independent and so all donations to the fundraising campaign will be 100% tax-deductible. Funds raised will directly support the initial phase of principal photography and also supportFilm Independent's cause to champion filmmakers who embody diversity, innovation, and uniqueness of vision.

The walkathon schedule is broken up around different regions within the city over the course of September:

September 1st: Westside (12 miles)

• Start From: Mar Vista

• Laemmle Monica

• Aero Theatre

• Laemmle Royal

• Landmark's Nuart Theatre

• Landmark Westwood

• Westwood's Director Village Theatre

• The Bruin

September 8th: The Pass (19 miles)

• Start From: The Bruin

• Laemmle Town Center, Encino

• Regency Theatres Van Nuys

September 15th: The Valley (22 miles)

• Start From: Regency Theatres Van Nuys

• Laemmle NoHo 7

• Autry Museum of the American West

• Alex Theatre

• Laemmle Glendale

• LOOK Dine-In Cinemas

• Vidiots

September 24th: DTLA / Hollywood (18 miles)

• Start From: Vidiots

• Alamo Drafthouse Downtown

• Regency Koreatown

• Wiltern Theater

• Vista Theatre

• Los Feliz 3 Theatres

• Cinelounge Sunset

• Cinerama Dome

• The Montalbán Theatre and the HOLA Mexico Film Festival

September 30th: DTLA / Hollywood (15 miles)

• Start From: The Montalbán Theatre

• The Egyptian Theatre

• El Capitan Theatre

• Landmark Sunset Theater

• Brain Dead Studios

• New Beverly Cinema

• David Geffen Theater

• Fine Arts Theatre

• Lumiere Music Hall

• The Culver Theatre

• Back Home to Mar Vista

"I've never attempted anything at this scale before and it's possible I won't ever attempt anything like it again," said Havenner. "There is a seismic shifting happening in Los Angeles. The studios have forsaken us and in their wake a new indie movement is coming and indie cinemas are at ground zero of that movement. I'm doing this to show everyone the beating heart of Los Angeles, on the street and the trenches."

The walkathon fundraiser was in planning stages even as indie cinemas began reopening, such as the former Westwood Village Theatre, the Bruin, and notably the Cinerama Dome. Some of the theaters on the list are event and music venues or, in the case of the Autry Museum, not a cinema at all. They were chosen as representatives of an era or, if not, an example of what is to come.

"I actually set out to visit every indie theater in Los Angeles, but had to finally resign to a tight list of 32," continued Havenner. "There are amazing ones south of my route, in Pasadena, and in East L.A. that would add another five days to the walkathon and so ultimately I had to keep it somewhat constrained. I'm also hearing of even more theaters opening that I wish I could add to the list such as the century-old Vision Theater. It's clear that indie film is in a revival and it is happening right here in Los Angeles."

The fundraiser is in support of Khepri's next film THE KING IN YELLOW, a cosmic horror that reimagines Robert W. Chambers' classic 1895 book of the same title. The movie presents a critical look at mainstream Hollywood and the increased commodification of art. The film follows a jaded screenwriter trapped at an isolated desert retreat as a billionaire director, who is actually an ancient cosmic deity, replaces her A-list friends with murderous doppelgängers to steal their performances.

To make a tax-deductible contribution to the film, or to follow the live 85-mile walkathon, visit kinginyellowfilm.com.

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About Khepri Films

Khepri Films is an independent production house dedicated to stories that are raw, human, and told with authenticity and grit. Founded in 2024 by multidisciplinary storyteller Mark Christopher Havenner, Khepri pushes the boundaries of how stories are made and shared, actively choosing innovation and practical filmmaking over synthetic imitation. Championing the philosophy of "About Humans, By Humans, For Humans," the company is committed to visceral, real-world storytelling. For more information, visit kheprifilms.com or follow the journey on Substack.