Since opening in December 2016, Turner Theatre has brought a wide variety of films for Elon University students, faculty and staff to enjoy in the comfort of their own campus. All anyone needs is a Phoenix Card and some free time to settle into comfortable seats in Schar Hall for a cinematic experience.

“The theater exists to support the School of Communications and to support the cinema and television arts majors,” said Bryan Baker, Turner Theatre manager.

But that is just the beginning of the potential Baker sees for the space.

Baker’s goal is to give students an opportunity to see films that might have slipped by them when they first came out, or give students without the resources to go on their own a chance to see the film if they choose. The end goal for Baker is to create a “moviegoing culture” here on campus.

The theater functions Thursdays through Sundays when the university is in session. Thursday nights are typically dedicated to screening documentaries, independent films or international films usually sponsored by organizations and groups both inside and outside the School of Communications. Two of the documentaries screened already this year include “Won’t You Be My Neighbor,” as well as “RBG,” a film about Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. 

Baker said director Qasim Basir would be coming to Elon to screen festival darling “A Boy. A Girl. A Dream: Love on Election Night,” at 4:30 p.m. on Nov. 4 and is hoping for a full house. 

Basir hopes to provide a space designed to start a conversation on the process of getting films made and what happens if the film gets noticed, giving students interested in films a look behind the curtain and a chance to speak to a current professional in the industry. While communication students are expected to make up a bulk of the audience, the event is open to any student interested. 

On Fridays through Sundays, Turner Theatre partners with Student Union Board Cinema Committee to air films that fall into the more mainstream blockbuster category. Senior Genna Kasian, chair of the SUB Cinema Committee, leads a group of about twenty people that “have applied and expressed interest in cinema.” They are responsible for deciding what films to recommend to Turner. 

Turner and SUB work to create a space for all students to come together and enjoy works of art meant to take viewers on an emotional journey. Freshman Grace Holmes recently went to Turner Theatre to see “Mamma Mia 2” and loved it. 

“It’s great because it’s the same experience as a theater and it’s free too,” Holmes said.

There may never be a less expensive or more convenient opportunity for students to see a movie. Students who have their Phoenix Cards can even bring their parents free of charge. 

While neither organization has written standards for what to bring to campus, both are simply trying to do their best to improve the opportunities for students at Elon University. The weekly schedule for Turner Theatre can be found on their website at turnertheatre.com, and all Elon students can become a part of SUB and the movie selection committee in either the fall or the spring if they wish to get involved.