BOOKS, FILMS, & THEN SOME: Emily Rapp Black / Veronica / Buttinskis
About this Event
EMILY RAPP BLACK IN CONVERSATION WITH COREY ROSKIN (3pm) - A conversation with New York Times bestselling memoirist Emily Rapp Black and her newest book (I Would Die If I Were You: Notes on Art and Truth Telling) which explores how art can move us through moments of grief and loss while celebration the spirit-lifting potential of all creative acts. Event will include a craft activity!
VERONICA & BUTTINSKIS FILM SCREENINGS (6pm)- A screening of two special short films followed by panel discussion including actors/creatives associated with the films (Selene Luna, John Stapleton & Christophe Zajac-Denek) moderated by Corey Roskin.
Veronica is a 2026 dark comedy short film starring and co-written/produced by Selene Luna following Veronica Santos, a little person actress, and her agent (Katey Sagal) as they hunt for a genuine acting role in Hollywood instead of demeaning sight gags.
Buttinskis is a 2026 short comedy film created and starring Christophe Zajac-Denek using comedy and social commentary to tap into his experience as a performer with dwarfism. In this Easterseals Disability Film Challenge entry, a comedian punches back after too many people tell him what to do!
Emily Rapp Black is the author of the New York Times bestseller book Poster Child, The Still Point of the Turning World, Sanctuary, and Frida Kahlo and My Left Leg. A former Fulbright scholar, Guggenheim Fellow, and graduate of Harvard Divinity School, she is Professor of Creative Writing at University of California-Riverside, where she also teaches in the School of Medicine.
Selene Luna is a groundbreaking performer, creator, and producer redefining power, presence, and representation in Hollywood. She is known for her role as Soledad on FX’s Mayans M.C., as the voice of Tía Rosita in Disney-Pixar’s Academy Award and Golden Globe-winning Coco, and as the voice of Robin on Apple TV’s animated series Frog and Toad. She was also featured on Hulu’s Dragstravaganza.
A trailblazing live performer, Luna has toured as Margaret Cho’s opening act and appeared as a featured performer with Dita Von Teese. She recently earned a Best Actress nomination from the Cal Film Festival’s Winter 2025–2026 season for her lead role in Veronica.
Blending comedy, character, and cultural disruption, Selene Luna is not waiting for Hollywood to make room, she is building a new lane entirely.
John T. Stapleton, a Brooklyn native, moved to Los Angeles post-graduation to pursue screenwriting. His indie film Mi Pollo Loco gained cult status, leading to diverse projects like Angels!, Mindwash, and In Transition. Concurrently, Stapleton built a successful makeup career, working with stars like Kelly Osbourne and Joan Jett. He joined MAC Cosmetics in 1996, retired in 2024, and remains active in fashion and entertainment. In 2026, he co-founded Cactus Artists in Coachella Valley. Recently, Stapleton ventured into directing and producing music videos for artists such as Belinda Carlisle, showcasing his storytelling and visual artistry.
Christophe Zajac-Denek stands 4’4″ as a result of a rare form of dwarfism. He endured three reconstructive surgeries before age 18. Born and raised with the grit and hustle of his hometown, Detroit, MI, Christophe has adapted to the juxtaposition of societal norms. After graduating from Michigan State University he worked as a TV producer while touring as a drummer in a rock band. Christophe lives in Los Angeles, where he’s a producer, director, writer, comedian, actor/stuntman, presenter, host, disability advocate, surfer, drummer, and journalist. And, he still can’t wash his hands in your tall sink.
Corey Roskin has been programming and co-producing literary events for 24 years including the West Hollywood Book Fair, Lambda Lit Fest, Omega Sci-Fi Awards and Palm Springs Pride on the Page. For 29 years he also worked for the City of West Hollywood, most notably coordinating special events and projects as part of the City’s Social Services Division. Roskin currently serves on the Board of the Palm Springs Public Library Foundation and on the special events team at the Palm Springs Cultural Center. He also dabbles in writing fiction and personal stories and has volunteered for a variety of social services and cultural arts programs for almost 40 years.
Agenda
🕑: 03:00 PM - 04:00 PM
CONVERSATION / CRAFT ACTIVITY
🕑: 04:00 PM - 05:00 PM
BOOK SIGNING
🕑: 06:00 PM - 07:00 PM
VERONICA & BUTTINSKIS
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
USD 0.00 to USD 17.85
