Paul Schrader, the writer-director whose career runs from ‘Taxi Driver’ to ‘First Reformed,’ will receive the 27th Annual Ojai Film Festival’s inaugural Storyteller Award. While at the festival, he will also present the West Coast premiere of his latest movie, ‘The Basics of Philosophy,’ on Saturday, November 7. The drama will play at 8pm PST at the Ojai Art Center Theater, and the filmmaker will be in attendance at the screening.

‘The Basics of Philosophy’ had its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival last month. The screening garnered an ovation from the audience.

In the movie, Jack Huston plays John Jorrisen, a philosophy professor at a Midwestern college. He’s writing a book on Spinoza, whose life is unsettled when his wealthy, estranged father dies. Sofia Boutella, Bill Pullman, Dana Delany, Karl Glusman and Shiloh Fernandez co-star in the drama. Martin Scorsese is an executive producer on the film.

The Storyteller Award, which will be presented for the first time this year, recognizes the most distinct, provocative and enduring voices in the crafts of writing and directing. “As envisioned, these Storytellers have shaped cinema, defined the times, and challenged the status quo. There’s no one more appropriate to receive this, our inaugural Storyteller Award, than Paul Schrader,” said festival Artistic Director Ted Melfi.

Schrader will accept the award on the same day as ‘The Basics of Philosophy’s screening, at 1:30pm PST at Chaparral Auditorium. Before presenting the filmmaker with the award, the Ojai Film Festival will present a 50th anniversary screening of ‘Taxi Driver.’ The scribe-helmer will also join a conversation with the audience.

Martin Scorsese directed ‘Taxi Driver’ from Schrader’s screenplay. The movie won the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival. It also received four Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture.

Schrader went on to pen ‘Raging Bull,’ ‘The Last Temptation of Christ’ and ‘Bringing Out the Dead’ for Scorsese. Schrader also went on to direct more than 20 movies of his own, including ‘American Gigolo,’ ‘Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters,’ ‘Affliction’ and ‘First Reformed,’ the latter of which earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay. He also worked on ‘The Card Counter,’ ‘Master Gardener’ and ‘Oh, Canada.’ In 2022, the Venice Film Festival presented him with its Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement.

For more information on the Ojai Film Festival, including how to purchase tickets, visit its official website, as well as its Instagram, Facebook and X pages.