De Anza’s African American Studies program hosted the Third Thursday Film Festival, an event where students experience community through watching a film and discussing the topics addressed in the movie.
The festival is held every  third Thursday of the month.
The first festival took place in the De Anza Multicultural Center, and began at 6 p.m on Oct. 18.  Admission was free and open to all, and an array of snacks provided for any attendee.
The theme of the films is the involvement in politics of people from African American descent, paying tribute to the 2012 election.
A diverse crowd of about  20 students attended the showing of the first film, “Chisholm 72”.
The creator of the festival, professor Julie Lewis, gave a welcome to all the students who showed up during the movie.
Lewis then gave background of the  documentary which focused on the life of Shirley Chisholm, an African-American woman who ran for president in the early 1970s, and the struggles and accomplishments she encountered.
As soon as the movie ended, intercultural studies instructor Jessica Hamilton had students break into groups of three to discuss the concepts and topics provided by the movie.
Stimulating conversations emerged from the discussions, allowing each person to express  points of view and hear different perspectives.
Discussions lasted for about 15 minutes and the groups were called together again by Hamilton, sharing thoughts expressed, including the effects of ethnicity, women’s rights, and the politics of today.  
The room held a comfortable, open environment.
De Anza student Maha Rajeh, 20, a public health and middle eastern studies major, said she was surprised by the outcome of the event, and said the festival was good for De Anza students.
“I thought this event was very inspiring and I’m very glad that they held this,” she said.
Lewis, an instructor of the Intercultural/International Studies Division and department chair of African American studies, was similarly pleased by the turnout and open environment that was experienced.
Lewis said she hoped that the festival would pick up steam and become a De Anza norm.
When asked what inspired the making of the festival, Lewis said she wanted to provide a place where, in particular, African American students as well as other students, could feel welcome and have a place to just “be”.
“These events and things that we’ve been doing are to help build a support system, to African American students and all students on campus,” Lewis said.
The next film, “American Blackout” will be shown on Nov. 15.