A new series of UH Cinema films, showcasing music and dance from around the world, launches Sunday and continues through Dec. 9.

Screening times are 5 p.m. Sundays and 7 p.m. Thursdays at the University of Hawai'i-Manoa's Spalding Auditorium. Tickets are $5 general, $3 UH students, staff and faculty, except as noted. Information: 223-0130.

The films:

"LET'S GET LOST"

Directed by Bruce Weber; USA, 1988, 119 minutes

A profile of 1950s jazz trumpeter Chet Baker.

Sunday

"DANCES OF ECSTASY"

Directed by Michelle Mahrer and Nicole Ma; Australia, 2001, 65 minutes

Trance and dance rituals put to a global-music soundtrack.

Thursday and Sept. 30

"KHACHATURIAN"

Directed by Peter Rosen; USA, 2005, 87 minutes

A portrait of the Armenian/Soviet composer Aram Khachaturian, including rare archival materials.

Oct. 11, 14

"BALLET RUSSES"

Directed by Daniel Geller, Dayna Goldfine; USA, 2005, 115 minutes

A look at the revolutionary 20th-century ballet troupe known as Ballet Russes.

Oct. 18, 21

"TO YOU SWEETHEART, ALOHA"

Directed by S. Leo Chang and Mercedes Coats; USA, 2004, 56 minutes

A documentary about 'ukelele master Bill Tapia, who, at 99 years old, continues to play.

Also:

"WAIKIKI: RIDING THE WAVES OF CHANGE"

Directed by Caroline Yacoe and Eric Jordan; USA, 2004, 52 minutes

A look at the beach boys of Waikiki from the early days to today.

Oct. 25, 28

"FLAMENCO"

Directed by Carlos Saura; Spain, 1996, 92 minutes

A newly restored documentary about flamenco, featuring performances by legendary flamenco artists.

Nov. 1, 4

"CROSSING THE BRIDGE: THE SOUND OF ISTANBUL"

Directed by Fatih Akin; Germany/Turkey, 2004, 90 minutes

A look at the variety of musical cultures in Istanbul.

Nov. 8, 11

"BHUTAN: TAKING THE MIDDLE PATH TO HAPPINESS"

Directed by Tom Vendetti; USA, 2007, 89 minutes

Documentary focuses on the kingdom of Bhutan, where the government wants to bring Gross National Happiness to its people. Performance by musician Jigme Drukpa of the Bhutan Royal Academy of Music follows screening. A Honolulu premiere.

Nov. 18; $20

"GYPSY CARAVAN"

Directed by Albert Maysles; USA, 2006, 113 minutes

Documentary takes place on the Gypsy Caravan concert tour, and tells of the Gypsy life and music.

Nov. 29, Dec. 2

"THIS IS BOSSA NOVA: THE HISTORY AND STORIES"

Directed by Paulo Thiago; Brazil, 2005, 112 minutes

The people, places and performances that launched Brazilian music around the world in the early 1960s.

Dec. 6, 9