Film culture is deeply intertwined with popular culture. Blockbusters and cult classics alike reflect and influence social trends, attitudes, and values of both mainstream and countercultures. The Pop Culture Cluster hosts cinematic event programs on films and filmmaking while exploring pop film topics that engage with social justice issues. If you are interested in co-hosting a screening with us, send us an email at pop.culture@ubc.ca.
Annual Horror Film Festival
In partnership with the UBC Film Society, the Pop Culture Cluster co-hosts the annual Horror Film Festival at the Norm Theatre during the Halloween season. Unless stated otherwise, all events are open to the public and free of charge–including the popcorn and Halloween candy! Screenings are followed by discussions with UBC scholars on topics and ideas raised in the films.
Public Screenings
The Pop Culture Cluster occasionally hosts or co-hosts public screenings of films that engage with some aspect of pop culture, whether through cinematic themes or through pop elements of filmmaking. Screenings are often accompanied by events with film scholars, practitioners, and other discussants who expand on topics, ideas, and practices presented in the films shown.
- There are currently no upcoming screenings
Pop Film News
Nov 20, 2025
The Pop Culture Cluster & UBC Film Society Go Global with International Horror Festival
It's our second collab with the UBC Film Society on the Annual Horror Film Festival for Arts Multilingual Week! The Global Horror Film Festival ran from Oct. 27-30 and was free to attend at The Normand Bouchard Memorial Theatre.News, Pop Film News
Nov 18, 2025
Icelandic Scholar Visit and The Day Iceland Stood Still
From October 22-25, 2025 we hosted three scholars from the University of Iceland at UBC for a range of activities including a guest lecture in a Nordic literature class, a public talk on Romani comics, relationship-building activities with faculty from Nordic Studies, and a public panel discussion following a screening of the 2024 documentary The Day Iceland Stood Still on the 50th anniversary of the Icelandic Women's Strike on October 24, 1975. Panelists reflected on their own personal experiences related to the strike, its legacy, and the necessary work that carries forward in the strike's wake.News, Pop Film News
Oct 25, 2024
Pop Culture Cluster launchs inaugural Multilingual Horror Film Festival at UBC!
Celebrate multilingualism this Halloween season at UBC’s inaugural Multilingual Horror Film Festival at The Norm Theatre from October 27-31!Announcements, Pop Film News