Arthouse Films and the partners of 5 Ninth restaurant in New York's meatpacking district have launched a new film salon and screening series called the Film Salon at 5 Ninth.

The series will start on Monday nights in May, focusing on films by and about artists.

The evenings will include screenings, food, drink and discussions with directors and producers.

The initial films selected include: James Crump's Black White + Gray, Tamra Davis' Conversations with Basquiat, Peter Beard: Scrapbooks from Africa, John Walter's How to Draw a Bunny, Peter Rosen's Who Gets to Call It Art: Henry Geldzahler, a Henri-Cartier Bresson program, The Vice Guide to Travel; and music video and works-in-progress presentations.

David Koh of Arthouse Films said: 'We're sort of modeling it on the old cinema and literary salons in Paris which were unique meeting places where ideas were exchanged and where there were great films, food, drink, music, friends, etc... it will be a tastemaker salon with filmmakers presenting their work to a sophisticated audience followed by an intimate discussion.'

Arthouse Films is an independent production and distribution company in New York, which has Black White + Gray screening this week at the Tribeca Film Festival.