LBCC Film Club hosts weekly film screenings hoping to preserve physical media

The LBCC Film Club is a student-run organization that meets every Thursday at the Liberal Arts Campus for screenings of culturally significant movies that are voted on by the members of the club.

The club meets in room M-129 at the LAC and enjoys food and in-depth conversations about themes and what goes into making great movies.

The club is advised by film studies professor Ben Sampson, who introduced students to physical media at a time when streaming had become a dominant global medium for at home entertainment.

During the weekly showings, Sampson shows films on Blu-ray, giving students the experience of physical media. 

^{LBCC Film Club screening of the 1979 movie Alien on the Liberal Arts Campus on Sept. 17. The Film Club was having their weekly screening of horror movies for the Halloween season. (Olin Archuleta)}

While discussing if physical media is a dying art, LBCC Film Club President Cameron Henshaw has noticed an influx in cult following of physical media owners.

“I think due to social media, it’s actually becoming somewhat of a trend to own physical media nowadays, which I totally admire,” said Henshaw.

Club member Karla Gonzalez believes people nowadays are not putting in the effort to keep physical media alive despite seeing an increase in moviegoers and collectors.

“I think they’re just not going out and experiencing physical media for themselves, because it’s everywhere, especially here on campus,” Gonzalez commented. 

With large interest in the club, Sampson encourages his members to also partake in the art of preserving physical media.

“I show things on physical media, I also encourage other people to collect,” said Sampson. “Loving something is a value, so if you love movies, collect movies.”

As interest in collecting physical media continues among film enthusiasts, club members hope that physical media can make a comeback and remain part of how people experience movies.

The LBCC Film Club will continue to have screenings every Thursday to share the experience with its members, and they hope to grow their following in the coming years.