FILM SNEAK PEEK WHAT INSPIRED SEAN PENN TO BECOME A DIRECTOR?

Byline: - Valerie Kuklenski

If you want to make a filmmaker squirm, ask him to name just one film that has been a guiding force in his career.

Tonight, for UCLA Film and Television Archive's ``The Movie That Inspired Me'' series, actor-director Sean Penn has settled on ``Minnie and Moskowitz,'' John Cassavetes' 1971 romantic comedy about a lonely museum curator (Gena Rowlands) and an offbeat parking attendant (Seymour Cassel).

Penn will talk about his choice with director Curtis Hanson, who also is the archive's chairman, at the conclusion of the 7:30 p.m. screening.

Tickets, on sale at the James Bridges Theater one hour before show time, are $7 for general admission and $5 for students, seniors and UCLA Alumni Association members. The Bridges Theater is in the northeast corner of the campus near Sunset Boulevard and Hilgard Avenue. Information: [phone] or www.cinema.ucla.edu.

LOOKING BACK AT LEIGH: Age 39 might seem a bit early for a career retrospective, unless the honoree has worked as much as Jennifer Jason Leigh.

Leigh's work will be honored in a four-day overview next week beginning with a sneak preview of her latest, ``The Anniversary Party,'' which received good notices at Cannes. Leigh co-wrote and co-directed the movie, her first behind the lens, with Alan Cumming. Together they play a couple marking their anniversary with friends even though they have barely reconciled from a long separation. ``The Anniversary Party'' plays at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, followed by a discussion with Leigh and Cumming.

Leigh also plans to attend the June 8-10 screenings of ``Fast Times at Ridgemont High,'' ``Last Exit to Brooklyn,'' ``Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle,'' ``The Hudsucker Proxy'' and ``Georgia.''

Tickets are available at the Egyptian Theatre box office, 6712 Hollywood Blvd., at $8 for general admission, $6 for American Cinematheque members and $7 for seniors and students. Information: [phone] or www.egyptiantheatre.com.

CLOSE, GOLDBERG FETED: Glenn Close and Whoopi Goldberg are among the recipients of this year's Crystal Awards, being presented June 8 by Women in Film.

Other honorees include actor-director Betty Thomas, Columbia Pictures chief Amy Pascal and casting director Juliet Taylor. Pierce Brosnan and Keely Shaye Smith will accept the humanitarian award for their work on behalf of environmental and women's health causes, and Amy Vincent will receive the cinematography prize.

Cocktails are served at 11 a.m. and lunch at noon at the Century Plaza Hotel. Tickets start at $145 for Women in Film members and $185 for nonmembers. Information: [phone].

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Alan Cumming and Jennifer Jason Leigh co-wrote, co-directed adn co- starred in ``The Anniversary Party,'' to be presented Tuesday night by American cinematheque.