The Pan African Studies department is hosting the Black Panther Party For Self-Defense Film Festival, with co-sponsor the Black Student Union.

The Black Panther Party was created in the 1960s as a response to racism, brutality and the oppression, said Michele Beller, administrative support assistant for the Pan African Studies department and co-coordinator for the festival.

“The purpose for this event is education because many people from this generation don’t understand who the Black Panther’s were,” Beller said.

Emory Douglas, a former minister of culture for the Black Panthers, will be the keynote speaker for the event.

“He helped speak for the people, to encourage them, empower them,” Beller said. “He really spoke for them with his art.”

The event will include films, such as “Passin’ It On: The Black Panthers’ Search for Justice” and have a panel filled with former members of the Black Panther Party for Self-Defense.

The event is taking place between Oct. 3 and Oct. 5 in the Sala de la Osa Room in the Satellite Student Union. It is open to the whole community and free of charge.