Block Cinema hosts over 40 free screening events a year, a busy calendar made possible by an incredible team of Visitors Services and support staff, including student-worker Autumn Rose (SoC ’24). We sat down with Autumn to learn a little about her background and how work with the Cinema has shaped her Northwestern Direction.

1. Can you tell us a bit about your background and your field of study? 

I am a senior from Jonesboro, Georgia, majoring in Communication Studies, with minors in Spanish and Film & Media Studies. My undergraduate career has been filled with exploring the ways in which we interact with one another and shape one another’s experiences, especially through creative art endeavors. In this, I find enjoyment in participating in activities where I can meet new people and try new things that explore different possibilities.  

2. Can you tell us about your interest in film and art?

While I have always been interested in entertainment fields in general and am inspired daily by works, whether they be in museum spaces, online, or elsewhere, I think my fascination with film and art, especially from experimental, independent, and local artists, has risen exponentially since working at The Block. There are several themes and types of art that I enjoy, but I find interest in work that centers itself on memories and history, sharing experiences of where we have come from and how that informs our lives in the present.  

3. What interests you about working with Block Cinema? 

One of my favorite aspects about Block Cinema, and one that makes each shift so memorable, is not only the opportunity to watch artwork but also the opportunity to better understand its meaning in conversation with its creator. By inviting directors, writers, actors, creatives, and scholars to participate in dialogues, audiences (myself included) gain so much more insight and appreciation for the films and art. Working with Block Cinema means finding connections to others who share your interests and also hearing more from the creators about their film-making processes and their own inspirations and ideas. 

4. What do you think Block Cinema offers to Northwestern, the Chicagoland community, and patrons of The Block? 

It is hard to list every amazing aspect of Block Cinema, but of all its great qualities and offerings, I think my favorite is its ability to foster community and conversation. It is always so fun to see special film events, such as festivals or series screenings, where everyone is enjoying being in the presence of everyone else and having fun in the moment of the screening– collective laughing, gasping, and even crying. Block Cinema screenings are so creatively and specifically curated to reflect our focus at The Block to greater public. I believe everyone can benefit from Block Cinema, as there is always something unique or unexpected to look forward to. 

5. Can you tell us about how your love of art informs your work with Block Cinema? 

My love of art informs my work with Block Cinema through my field of communication. I love meeting new people and learning about art through the artists themselves, and seeing the “humanness” of what makes the art. Learning about each screening allows me to reach out to various audiences and people across campus and in the Chicagoland area and share what is going on at the Block Cinema. In my work, I aim to maintain connections with departments and groups who might be interested in our work, and make new connections so that more people are aware of what The Block’s screenings have to offer. 

6. What museum exhibitions or film programs (outside The Block) have inspired you lately? 

Recently, there was a short film and video art screening on-campus called Traces of Resistance, created as part of Curatorial Practices, a symposium in the RTVF Department. This pop-up exhibition and artist talkback included artistic, investigative work to explore revolution and rebellion at different fronts across time and place. Traces included stories of change and resistance, offering a sense of empowerment and community. It is always inspiring to me to experience the work of my fellow students, and I look forward to continuing to support emerging artists in these settings. 

7. Is there anything upcoming at The Block Museum or Northwestern you are particularly excited about? 

I am very excited about the upcoming Block Museum exhibition Actions for the Earth: Art, Care & Ecology and the Cinema screenings that will reflect the exhibition’s themes of healing and restoration for our planet and our traditions. As always, it is imperative that we remember how interconnected we are to one another and the Earth and I look forward to art and films that will center on Indigenous knowledge and practices, along with highlighting imaginative futures and possibilities to look towards with hope.