For the cinema lovers at Iowa State, the Institute on National Affairs will hold a seven-day film conference next week titled “Film in America: Creating Reality.”

The conference will feature a free movie every evening and several speakers, including cult filmmaker John Waters, the director of “Hairspray” and “Pink Flamingoes.”

Waters also is the keynote speaker for the week. His address is titled “Shock Value.”

All the lectures and films are free and open to the public.

Pat Miller, coordinator of the Lectures Program, said the Institute on National Affairs “tried to find a topic which examines different aspects of life.”

The institute, which has been in existence since 1966, picked topics in the past that were as diverse as politics, humor and civil rights, Miller said.

“The topics are voted on by students and faculty in the institute,” she said. “After every conference, we do a wrap-up and then start discussing ideas for the topic of the next year’s conference.”

Loring Silet, professor of English, also teaches a film class at ISU and helped with the planning of the conference. He said it is important for students to recognize the power of film.

“Students need to start seeing films as not just a couple of hours of entertainment but as a medium that can carry enormous cultural and social weight,” he said.

Another ISU film lover is enthusiastic for the conference.

“It’s a topic that’s interesting for anyone who likes movies,” said Eric Yarwood, program adviser for the Student Union Board.

Events are scheduled as follows:

• Carolyn Porco, “When the Idiosynchratic Becomes the Norm.” Porco was the leader of the Imaging Team for the Cassini mission to Saturn and adviser for the 1997 Jodie Foster film, “Contact.” Monday at 8 p.m. in the Sun Room of the Memorial Union.

• Molly Haskell, “Women and Men and Film.” Haskell is a movie critic whose works include “Women and Men and Film and Feminists.” Tuesday at 8 p.m. in the Sun Room of the MU.

• Waters’ film “Pecker,” starring Edward Furlong and Christina Ricci. Wednesday at 8 p.m. in the Sun Room of the Memorial Union.

• Waters, “Shock Value.” Thursday at 8 p.m. in the Sun Room of the MU. Keynote address.

• “The Home Economics Story,” with an introduction by Tanya Zanish-Belcher. Thursday at noon in the Pioneer Room of the MU.

• Carmon Weets and Chris Brock, “The Business of Entertainment: From Iowa to Hollywood.” Friday at noon in the Pioneer Room of the MU.

• Adrian Sannier, “Multimedia Presentation: Technology and Entertainment.” Sannier is vice president and general manager for Engineering Animation, Inc. Thursday, Feb. 25 at noon in the Great Hall of the MU.

• Sherman Alexie, “Killing Indians: Myths Lies and Exaggerations.” Alexie wrote and produced the 1998 film “Smoke Signals.” Friday, April 2 at 8 p.m. in the Sun Room of the MU.