Full Breakdown
Hollywood Stars Offer Free Gas in Los Angeles Ahead of “I Love Boosters” Release
5/13/2026, 4:25:25 AM
Free-Gas Giveaway Tied to “I Love Boosters” Premiere
On Tuesday, May 12, at 10 a.m. PT, actors Keke Palmer and LaKeith Stanfield will personally refuel the first 70 vehicles that line up at the Shell station located at 8500 West Pico Boulevard, Los Angeles. The giveaway is promoted as a “boosted” gas event linked to the upcoming theatrical release of Boots Riley’s film *I Love Boosters*, scheduled for May 22. Supplies of free gasoline and promotional merchandise are limited to the first drivers served.
Background & Context
*I Love Boosters* is Riley’s first feature film since the 2018 cult hit *Sorry to Bother You* and the Prime Video series *I’m a Virgo*. The movie debuted at SXSW and opened the 2026 Seattle International Film Festival, generating buzz for its anti-capitalist narrative that frames “professional boosters” who steal luxury goods and redistribute them at lower prices as a form of community service. The promotional giveaway aligns with the film’s critique of market-driven scarcity, especially as California gasoline prices hover near $6 per gallon.
Key Figures & Organizations
- Boots Riley – writer-director of *I Love Boosters*
- Keke Palmer – lead actress, co-ambassador for the giveaway
- LaKeith Stanfield – lead actor, co-ambassador for the giveaway
- Neon – distributor releasing the film exclusively in U.S. theaters on May 22
- Shell – host of the Los Angeles fuel-station event
Data & Statistics
- Event date & time: May 12, 2026, 10 a.m. PT
- Location: Shell, 8500 West Pico Boulevard, Los Angeles
- Number of free-fuel recipients: 70 vehicles (first-come, first-served)
- Statewide average regular-gas price (May 12): $6.15 per gallon
- Additional California emissions/climate fee: $0.34–$0.44 per gallon
- Film release: May 22, 2026 (theatrical, Neon)
Why It Matters
The giveaway serves as a marketing stunt that directly mirrors the film’s thematic focus on redistribution and resistance to high consumer costs. By providing free gasoline amid statewide prices exceeding $6 per gallon, the event highlights the economic pressures faced by California drivers and offers a tangible illustration of the film’s critique of market inequities. The stunt also generates media attention that may broaden audience awareness beyond typical indie-film channels.
Verbatim Quotes
- “the first socialist stoner movie of the Trump era,” — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire reviewer
- “a shoplifting comedy without any pros at the helm,” — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire reviewer
- “In 2026, one of the most radical things you can do for somebody might just be paying for a goddamn tank of gas.” — IndieWire
- “California residents are charged an additional 34 cents to 44 cents per gallon for emissions fees and climate programs.” — New York Post
What’s Next
Following the May 12 giveaway, *I Love Boosters* will open nationwide in theaters on May 22. Neon has indicated that additional promotional activities may accompany the release, though specific details have not been disclosed. The film’s performance and public response to the free-gas event will likely inform future marketing strategies that blend political messaging with consumer incentives.
