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For the first time since its inception, the International Cinema will be screening movies through spring and summer months.

Sponsored by the BYU College of Humanities, the International Cinema found its humble beginnings in the 1950s and 60s with a small group of international students and faculty members who met once a semester. After more than 50 years of screening movies, this multicultural program now shows two films per week in the Spencer W. Kimball Tower theater on the main floor. Each film has several showings throughout the week which you can follow online at ic.byu.edu.

According to their website, the International Cinema is “the world’s largest and longest-running university foreign film program.” The program strives to further the academic development of students by screening movies as a mechanism for addressing issues such as prejudice, racism and ignorance.

Romy Franks, a senior majoring in European studies, is the current assistant to the directors in the International Cinema program.

“What is particularly compelling about foreign films is that they are often crafted to tell a deeper story than perhaps the typical, mainstream American audience is used to,” Franks said.

Some of the more recognized films the International Cinema has shown include  Slumdog Millionaire, Il Postino and Pan’s Labyrinth.

“Film is essentially an art form,” Franks said. “And just as we study the great art around the world, we should include the study of foreign film in our repertoires.”

The admission to all International Cinema screenings is free.

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