DeKALB — The Egyptian Theatre, 135 N. Second St., is bringing social change and awareness through film 7 p.m. Thursdays until March 1.

The series is sponsored by DeKalb Stands, a local activist group. Locals were upset about what was going on politically and felt like they needed to raise awareness on social justice issues, according to communications professor Jeffrey Chown. Green Lens is a free event that shows films on environmental issues and climate change through documentaries.

“In the fall, we did an environmental film series called Green Lens, and it was so successful that we decided to do it again on social justice this spring,” Chown said. “We’re also trying to encourage students and members of the community to show up.”

Sophomore communications major Skyler Imhoff went to the Egyptian Theatre Feb. 8 and was impressed by the film “Shored up,” a documentary about the change in the shoreline. She said the Green Lens series has helped her to learn more about the environment through film that she has never gotten to experience before.

“I was looking through the films ,and this seemed like something I’ve never been into before,” Imhoff said. “It’s interesting to learn about things that you’ve never learned before.”

Senior communications major Jared Hoey said the Green Lens series is an important way to bring issues to the forefront and speak to viewers personally through film. He believes that film can bring change and has personally gained new insight from the series.

The series has two more films left this semester. “Mission Blue,” a film about saving the ocean and “The 13th,” that talks about the mystery behind the 13th Amendment. These films will talk about social justice issues and will expose things that viewers may have never known.

“The Green Lens event is something that the community should come out to,” Hoey said. “I believe it is something that can bring self-awareness.”

The series also brings in science professors from NIU or special guests to give professional opinions on the subjects, such as environmentalism or social justice. Science professor Pat Vary and Reed Scherer, who collaborate with Chown, are around to answer questions afterwards or to have conversations.

Chown uses the series to not only help his film students get extra credit, but for them to have more awareness on how film can change the world. 200 visitors from all over the community usually come to the series.

“Film can change things,” Chown said. “It does so through awareness and drawing attention to issues. We’re promoting culture, awareness and activism.”