If you are looking for something to do after classes, Movies at the MacKenzie is a way for students, faculty and staff to enjoy a free film on campus.

Theatre professor Dr. John-Michael Sefel and Susan McGraw, chair of media communication arts and manager of WHFR radio, along with technical assistance from Seth Amadei, have put together a thoughtful and engaging line-up of films.

On Sept. 22, Movies at the MacKenzie opened with the animated short, “Footsteps on the Wind,” directed by Gustavo Leal (“A Parede,” “Tempar a Gosto”), Maya Sanbar (“Goal Dreams,” “When I Saw You”), and Faga Melo. The animated feature was the award-winning “Ponyo,” directed by legendary filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki (“Spirited Away,” “My Neighbor Totoro”).

On Oct 22, the live-action short, “How to be Alone,” directed by Kate Trefry (“Stranger Things,” “Drive”) and Disney’s animated “The Skeleton Dance,” directed by Walt Disney, were followed by the Korean zombie film, “Train to Busan,” directed by Yeon Sang-ho (“The King of Pigs,” “Peninsula”).

Sefel and McGraw shared that one of the goals of Movies at the MacKenzie is community. After the event, I heard students discussing “Ponyo” while introducing themselves and making new friends or acquaintances.

Movies at the MacKenzie is a place where students can show up, relax and watch a film or two, then leave with a meaningful experience, and all for free. Sefel said, “The film series is designed to be a free event.” He added that he and McGraw “are committed to keeping it that way.”

Adding events to the Adray Auditorium brings attention to what will become a premier location at HFC. The college is currently renovating the Adray Auditorium. McGraw said, “The Adray Auditorium’s renovations will bring it up to the level that it needs to be and that our students deserve. So far, we’ve been able to upgrade to a new state-of-the-art projector, a beautiful new screen, and better sound equipment–perfect to accommodate these film screenings. Also, new seating is coming to enhance the experience even more.”

Mcgraw, Sefel, and Amadei hope the Adray Auditorium will help students connect, while continuing to host performances and concerts for the public.

“Movies at the MacKenzie” is also a way for student groups to be recognized and engaged. “Our first performance was ’sponsored’ by both the HFC Theatre Club (Evergreen Theatrical Society) and the Student Activities office, and every month can be ‘adopted/sponsored’ by different programs (particularly student clubs!),” Sefel said. “Choosing programming is something that gets spread around, and the last film of the year will be voted on by our audience!”

The audience film vote is taking place in April. Sefel and McGraw plan this to be an open vote, where students can nominate any film they would like to see, but they need to ensure it is available for public viewing. They also plan this to be a break for students before finals week. More details will be revealed closer to the date.

November features two films in Arabic. The 2012 short film “Baghdad Messi,” directed by Sahim Omar Kalifa (“Zagros,” “Bad Hunter”), will be followed by the feature, “You Will Die at Twenty,” directed by Amjad Abu Alala (“Train Station,” “The Last Miracle”).

Next semester, Movies at the MacKenzie will feature Julie Taymor’s (“The Tempest,” “Across the Universe”) highly experimental production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and the late Chadwick Boseman’s (“The Black Panther,” “Da 5 Bloods”) amazing portrayal of Thurgood Marshall in “Marshall.” Sefel and McGraw are planning additional films and still finalizing the list and the dates.

Given the audience response so far, Movies at the MacKenzie is sure to become a beloved event on campus.