The Campus Center Forum transformed into a miniature movie theater on Oct. 30 as UH Manoa students attended two free showings of "Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince" and lined up for snacks like 10-cent popcorn and drinks, and 25-cent Subway sandwiches.

The event is part "Manoa Moonlight Madness Movie Nights," sponsored by Campus Center Board. "My favorite part is it's free, snacks are cheap, and I get to watch movies that are played before they are released to DVD," said Kimiyo Watson, a senior English major who attended the event.

The Campus Center Board purchases a license from an outside company that allows it to show movies publically, according to Brett Katayama, Chairman of the Activities Council. Then the council votes on the movies they want to show each semester.

"This year we decided on pre-DVD release movies. They are always a big hit," Katayama said. The council promotes the event through advertisements around the dorms and Campus Center. They also post the dates on the UH Manoa Campus Event's Calendar. Funding for the event comes from student fees, that each student pays after registration.

At the event, the council sets up a large projection screen in the Campus Center forum with two large speakers and rows of chairs to imitate a movie theater setting. Each movie night has two showings, the first at 7 p.m. and the second at either 9 or 9:30 p.m., depending on how long the movie is.

Katayama estimates that the busiest movie nights attract 250 people, and on an average night there are about 150-200 people. The Friday movie night also includes two other components: an arts and crafts activity and "Campus Perk," which is a quiet study area. The council hires a masseuse for students who need to relax from studying.

There will be one more "Manoa Moonlight Madness Movie Night" this semester on Nov. 20 with a showing of "G.I. Joe: The Rise of the Cobra." Check out other upcoming events sponsored by Campus Center Board at the UHM Events Campus Calendar at http://www.hawaii.edu/calendar/manoa/.

"The event is a good option to view movies with friends because it's inexpensive, and really convenient for people living on or close to campus who don't have cars or don't want to commute," Watson said.