SAN FRANCISCO―Castro Theater played host to the screening of the musical “La La Land” on Thursday, December 8. The musical was honored by the San Francisco Film Society where the society presented an award to the film’s writer and directer Damien Chazelle.

“I’ve wanted to make movies as long as I can remember,” Chazelle said before the screening. “I lived my whole life thinking about movies and art, and I also played music starting at an early age. I guess at the end of the day, you write what you know and try to keep things personal. In this case, it means making films about the artistic process.”

The movie’s stars, Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling, were present at the screening. Both Stone and Gosling walked the red carpet and were greeted by a large crowd of fans.

Gosling described the production of the film’s atmosphere as a studio full of actors, set designers, dancers, choreographers and musicians collaboratively creating a joyful feeling evident in every frame.

The film captures the essence of 1940s and 1950s musicals, trail blazed by the era’s filmmakers and performers. Portrayed and shot in modern day Los Angeles, Chazelle combines musicals of those eras with the drama of modern day life.

Chazelle, Gosling, and Stone, as well as the film’s musical composer Justin Hurwitz, were presented with the SF Honors Award during a short panel discussion during the screening.