For years, College of the Canyons has welcomed students and community members to Friday Night Film screenings at Halsey Hall. It has become a tradition to showcase films that bring people together and share the joy of watching stories unfold on the big screen.
“I’ve been coming to this event for several years,” said Jean Miller, a College of the Canyons Media Arts Professor.
“I love the fact that a lot of movies are being shown that we wouldn’t see anywhere else, or there are very few times theaters in the area that would carry them.”
This week’s screenings paired ‘The Ballad of Wallis Island’, a heartfelt musical comedy, with ‘A Different Man’, a darker exploration of identity. Together, they reflect the kind of discovery this series is known for, introducing fresh, original, and often overlooked films.
“The hope is that if we bring more people to campus with our program, not only will they hopefully come back, but also make them think about what else they offer,” said Max Keller, Assistant Professor and Chair of the Cinema Department.
For Keller, hosting the event carries a personal meaning that goes back nearly a decade.
“I have gone from hosting it as a student, hosting it as an adjunct, to hosting it as a full-time. And now, a person who runs this department. This is a part of my life. It’s a huge part of my life,” said Keller.
For viewers, the screening uncovered hidden gems. For Keller, they mark a lifelong commitment to cinema and sustain a vibrant culture at College of the Canyons.
