Screenland’s Love & Romance Gold
Hometown Champions
Culver City productions have earned Oscars or Emmys every single year since the Academy was founded a century ago—a testament to the city’s enduring influence on global entertainment. At its peak, the “Heart of Screenland” created over half of the world’s films—stories rich with love and romance that defined generations of moviemaking and transformed the industry. That legacy thrives, as Culver City remains a dynamic hub of creativity, innovation, and filmmaking brilliance.
Beginnings of Greatness
From the very beginning, Culver City surged to prominence as a force in American cinema, shaping Hollywood’s worldwide stature and filling its films with enduring tales of love and romance--the 2027 Screenland 5K theme. The creation of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in 1927—championed by local visionary Louis B. Mayer—solidified the city’s influence and set a new standard for excellence. Major studios such as MGM and DeMille Pictures established their headquarters here, cultivating a creative haven where legendary directors, actors, and craftsmen could thrive. With every groundbreaking production, the city deepened its imprint on film history—launching iconic careers and captivating audiences around the world. These early triumphs continue to inspire filmmakers and fans alike, securing Culver City’s enduring title as the “Heart of Screenland.”
Points of Love & Lore
Follow the yellow brick road to 100 points of Culver City Screenland lore—each showcasing an Oscar‑ or Emmy‑winning title celebrating love and romance.
Comic Start
The 11th annual Screenland 5K starts opposite the former Hal Roach Studios, celebrated as the "Laugh Factory to the World." Roach produced Our Gang and Laurel & Hardy comedies and created WWII training films featuring Ronald Reagan and Alan Ladd. Jazz musician Louis Armstrong played across the street at Sebastian's Cotton Club. Further east of the race's starting point lies the East Culver City Arts District and the historic Helms Design Center, the official baked-goods supplier for the 1932 Olympics.
TV & Movie Spots
As your journey begins, picture Adam “Batman” West racing after the Joker on Ince Street and Erik “CHiPs” Estrada writing a ticket on Culver Blvd. You’ll pass the places where Aunt Bea and Andy taught Opie life lessons, King Kong clutched Fay Wray, Janet Gaynor fell for Fredric March, Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin escaped calamity, Lucille Ball outwitted Ricky, Hardy lectured Laurel, Lassie returned home and ET lifted into the moonlit sky.
Soar with Spider-Man
Follow the yellow brick road west down "Wagon Pass" (Washington Bl.), once notorious for its nightclubs, gambling, and bootlegging. In time, the street transformed into the city’s economic powerhouse, lined with booming industries and busy car dealerships. Stroll by the gates of Sony Pictures Animation, home of Spider-Man, KPop Demon Hunters, and the Smurfs.
Gang's All Here!
Travel north along Ince to Ivy Substation, featured in memorable Hal Roach train scenes and now the stage of the Actors’ Gang, directed by Oscar‑winner Tim Robbins. Not long after, you’ll pass the country’s smallest Main Street—America’s filmmaking hub in the 1940s, where studios turned out affordable wartime entertainment.
Be Our Guest
Jog past the century‑old, wedge‑shaped Culver Hotel, long celebrated for its storied owners and its parade of film and political luminaries. Just ahead stands the historic Culver Theater, where local studios debuted their newest releases. Now reborn as the Kirk Douglas Theatre, part of Center Theatre Group.
Catch the Rainbow
Walk past the legendary gates of Sony Pictures Studios—once Metro‑Goldwyn‑Mayer—and you’ll see The Rainbow, a sweeping art piece inspired by The Wizard of Oz. Continue on to Backstage, the iconic hangout where generations of filmmakers unwound while masterpieces such as A Star Is Born and Gone with the Wind came to life on the surrounding soundstages.
Cinematic Landmarks
Skirt past the Western Hemisphere Marathon marker outside Veterans Auditorium—once home to the oldest continuously run marathon west of the Mississippi and the first long‑distance race in the nation to welcome women and men on the same starting line. As you head back east, you’ll pass civic landmarks immortalized on film, including the Art‑Moderne Gateway Station post office and the century‑old façade of Culver City Hall.
Finish on the Red Carpet
Jog past the historic Culver Studios, where many of the 20th century’s greatest stars rose to fame—Bette Davis, Robert Mitchum, Cary Grant, Katharine Hepburn, Fred Astaire, and Ginger Rogers among them. Music legends Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson once rehearsed on these very stages. Over the decades, the studio passed through the hands of silent‑film pioneer Thomas Ince, visionary director Cecil B. DeMille, aviation and film mogul Howard Hughes, and comedic power duo Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball. Today, Amazon Pictures carries the torch, producing new hits on the beautifully restored soundstages while preserving the century‑old MGM film library. Your cinematic journey ends on the red carpet at Ivy Station, where your finisher’s medal awaits. Go ahead—rehearse that acceptance speech.
Add Screenland 5K cinema socks to your race day outfit and show off your vintage and valor for years to come! High-quality athletic socks come in two sizes.
Is the event stroller-friendly? Where are the start and finish lines located? Is there a place to leave personal items? See answers to FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS.
Chase the Stars
