Cal Poly’s Mustang Film Society creates a community for film enthusiast
The Mustang Film Society is a new club on Cal Poly’s campus that started in fall 2023.
For students who want to pursue film after they graduate, interdisciplinary studies and liberal arts (ISLA) associate professor, Doctor Emily Ryalls, wanted to create a place for these students to gather since there is no film major at Cal Poly.
“We wanted to have an outlet for students who are interested in film, film production, film festivals to come together and sort of get to know one another and build their own community,” Ryalls said.
This club is a structurally related activity meaning it is a student organization that is sponsored by the university.
Members consist of students of all majors from every college on campus.
“They decided that they would take trips to the Palm together to go see films,” Ryalls said. “And they’re really kind of forming their own film community here at Cal Poly, which is so special.”
The Mustang Film Society hosts screenings throughout the year such as their Women on Wednesday events at the Palm Theatre.
At those events, they screen a film written and directed by a woman, oftentimes with the filmmakers present to answer students’ questions afterward.
Mustang Film Society vice president, Ashley Kang, is the producer of the short film their club has decided to make.
Members chose an original script, cast all actors and began filming this week.
“Once we’re done shooting like that’s a huge burden off my shoulders and I feel like that’s what will really help solidify our club as legitimate,” Kang said.
Their most recent event was the third annual Social Justice Film Festival on April 23 and April 24.
This year’s theme was policing women’s sexuality with two showings of the films, “Poor Things” and the documentary, “Victim/Suspect”.
Both showings were followed by speakers to talk about the topic or the filmmaking process.
Dr. Ryalls hopes to pass on this festival for the Mustang Film Society to organize next year.
“I want students who are excited about film, who want to do it even just as a hobby to feel like they have people behind them,” Kang said. “To feel like they can talk with one another and learn from each other.”
The Mustang Film Society has already been approved to continue into the next school year.
Meetings are hosted every Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. in the English building, room 315.
