Lights, Camera, Community: The AUA Film Society

The hall is dark, and the projector’s light catches small particles floating in the air. On the screen, the 20th Century Fox theme begins, but this isn’t just about watching a movie. For the AUA Film Society (AUAFS), it’s never just about hitting play but rather about creating a space where the passion for filmmaking can grow and thrive.

In recent years, the urge for a film society on AUA campus has grown. David Baghdasaryan, EC senior and the President of the AUAFS established the Film Society in March of 2023. 

Unlike typical student clubs, the AUAFS serves as a student-led collegiate community affiliated with the College of Humanities & Social Sciences (CHSS) and is designed to be passed down to generations. 

David explains that many students want to pursue careers in film, but with no film degree offered at AUA, they often settle for an English & Communications (EC) major because of its inclusion of many film-related courses. 

As a result, these aspiring filmmakers gain the hands-on experience and writing skills required to flourish, but they are often left with no proper representation or access to the people in the industry.  AUAFS aims to bridge this gap.

For EC junior Meghrie Yaccoubian, the society has given her the chance to hear directly from industry professionals. She recalls the screening of The Room (2003), which was followed by a Q&A session with actor Dan Janjigian. “It was such a unique experience to hear first-hand stories from someone who was part of the production,” she says. “He shared behind-the-scenes details that I never would have even thought about.” 

But the society isn’t solely about experiences and industry connections. “It’s a very safe space,” Meghrie mentions. Following each screening, members participate in open discussions, and get to freely express their thoughts and opinions on the film of the week. 

Meghrie also adds that the movies foster diversity. “Instead of just screening mainstream films like Fight Club, The Godfather, or Pulp Fiction, we watch a variety of films from different backgrounds and themes,” she explains. In addition, the open discussions that follow ultimately encourage critical thinking and bring the members closer to each other.

This sense of community isn’t limited to post-screening discussions only; it starts even before the film begins. Alex Chobanyan, EC sophomore and active AUAFS leader, describes how the weekly movie selection works. Members suggest themes they’re interested in, and the group collectively discusses and chooses a film. This further strengthens the already tight-knit community as members ensure that everyone is on board with the week’s film choice and work together to reach a decision that suits everyone. It’s a group effort between leaders and members.

The Society has also served as a place for self-discovery for many students, including EC junior Keghani Chaparian. While she had a casual interest in film before, her involvement in the society has significantly deepened her passion. “It has pushed me out of my comfort zone in terms of taste,” she says. “It showed me movies I wouldn’t have considered watching otherwise.” She mentions that this exposure is not only important in terms of general film appreciation but also goes hand-in-hand with academic programs at AUA. 

Members typically apply the materials learned in their courses to the films they watch and vice versa. For example, they often use techniques from literature analysis to dissect and interpret films.

For David, the ultimate goal of theSociety is to nurture a community like NYC’s 368 Broadway—a communal space where students discuss, learn, and grow together where they create share their work, and eventually give back to this same community, “We needed a voice for cinema at AUA, and this is it,” he suggests. David explains that by establishing this niche space, filmmakers can express themselves and their craft, and ultimately they contribute back when they graduate. 

There’s still a long way to go, and much more to accomplish. The AUAFS plans to host script writing workshops in the foreseeable future and welcome both online and in-person guests from all over the world. If you’re an aspiring filmmaker, or just simply passionate about film, be sure to subscribe to the Society’s channel for the latest updates and news!