Lancaster car guru Brandon Hollinger is on a battery-powered roll.

In September, he won an international contest for his plan to electrify a classic London taxi.

Now he's preparing what he calls a "green carpet" premier for the documentary "Revenge of the Electric Car."

The film from director Chris Paine will be shown at 6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 7, at Allen Theatre and MJ's Coffeehouse in Annville.

Hollinger was the catalyst for bringing the new movie to central Pennsylvania, weeks before it opens in Philadelphia and Washington, D.C.

Its predecessor was the 2006 underground breakthrough "Who Killed the Electric Car?" –– which originally set Hollinger on his electric quest.

The earlier film blasted General Motors –– and other parties it deemed guilty, including Big Oil and a mostly apathetic public –– for scrapping its first-generation EV1 electric car five years ago.

The film got Hollinger hot under the hood.

Starting from scratch with an old Saab, the professional musician went on to convert three cars to plug-in power.

During an alternative energy conference in Delaware two years ago, Hollinger struck up a conversation with Paine.

The director was intrigued by do-it-yourselfers, Hollinger said. "It appears he's dedicating a quarter of the film to conversion."

Paine explores the burgeoning DIY movement through California conversion craftsman Greg "Gadget" Abbott, one of a quartet of characters central to "Revenge."

The others are auto-company leaders Elon Musk (Tesla Motors), Carlos Ghosn (Nissan) and Bob Lutz (GM), who invited Paine to witness the phoenixlike rehabilitation of the electric car.

Hollinger hasn't seen the movie, which debuted Oct. 21 in New York and Los Angeles, but he likes the premise.

After Hollinger appeared on a local Fox TV news show about a year ago, the filmmakers contacted him and put him on their website.

He told them about Allen Theatre, and he told theater owner Skip Hicks about "Revenge."

Hicks, writing in an email, called Hollinger "an amazing talent." Hicks suggested a screening date to the filmmakers.

Because the $1.8 million "Revenge" is independently funded and distributed, publicist Michelle Kaffko said, "we have to be really smart about the money we spend."

The Allen looked like a great venue for a film that had no shortage of show-it-here requests, Kaffko said.

"We really felt this is something that needs to be seen in theaters," Kaffko said. "We really just want to spread the word. That's what makes people like Brandon so important."

Hollinger isn't lining up Jay Leno, who took his 1909 Baker electric car to a "Revenge" premier party in Los Angeles. But he's been social networking his way toward what he hopes is a full house.

Four or five spaces in front of the theater will be reserved for a Tesla Roadster, a Chevrolet Volt, a Nissan Leaf and a DIY conversion or two –– if Hollinger can round them up.

"My work is just starting," Hollinger said, acknowledging that the American mass-produced electric car is still a long way down the road.

Filmmakers like Paine and businessmen like Hicks are helping to steer it closer, he said.

"I connected them. ... I'm interested in spreading the word and showing that there's a better way. I think this movie is going to help."

Adult admission to "Revenge of the Electric Car" is $8. Students 12 and under and seniors 55 and over pay $6. For reservations, call Allen Theatre and MJ's Coffeehouse, 36 E. Main St., Annville, at 867-3545.

Contact Sunday News staff writer Jon Rutter at jrutter@lnpnews.com.