Hero Complex Film Fest: Warning, downtown parking could be tricky

May 18, 2012 | 2:28 p.m.

Edgar Wright, who will answer questions after a “Shaun of the Dead” screening at the Hero Complex Film Festival. (Piper Ferguson)

Hero Complex Film Festival attendees might want to give themselves some extra time to park their Batmobiles, Helicarriers and Invisible Jetplanes at the event this weekend.

The festival — which kicks off at L.A. Live on Friday night with screenings of “Dawn of the Dead” and “Shaun of the Dead” — coincides with several events at Staples Center sure to draw a lot of downtown traffic. The Lakers and the Oklahoma City Thunder face off in the NBA playoffs at 7:30 p.m. Friday. On Saturday at 12:30 p.m., the Clippers face the San Antonio Spurs, and at 7:30 p.m., the Lakers face the Thunder again. On Sunday, the Kings play the Phoenix Coyotes in the NHL Stanley Cup playoffs at noon, and the Clippers and Spurs play at 7:30 p.m.

Additionally, the AMGEN Tour of California bicycle race will result in the following street closures Sunday until noon:

• Figueroa Street between Pico Boulevard and Olympic Boulevard
• Chick Hearn Court between Flower Street and Georgia Street
• Pico between Flower and Figueroa
• Flower between Pico and 11th Street
• Olympic between Figueroa and Olive Street
• Olive north of Olympic
• 11th between Flower and Hill
• Hill north of 11th

Festival-goers are advised to leave home early to allow for the traffic around L.A. Live. Parking information can be found here. All screenings will be held in Theater No. 5 at Regal Cinemas. Tickets are still available for several events and can be purchased online.

[Update, May 18, 3:45 p.m.: Attendees opting not to drive may take the L.A. Metro. The Metro Red Line, Blue Line and several bus routes drop off near the L.A. Live campus, located at 1000 W. Olympic Blvd.]

– Noelene Clark

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