Before going door-to-door collecting candy on Halloween night, swing by F.G. Bulber Auditorium on the McNeese State campus for a free movie party.

The Southwest Louisiana Independence Center, a non-profit organization that helps people with disabilities and seniors lead independent lives, and Banners at McNeese State University will sponsor an “E.T.” Movie Party at 1 p.m. Thursday.

The 1982 science-fiction film “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial” will be shown. Damien Thibodeaux, an independent living specialist, said the film is a perfect family-friendly Halloween flick without blood, gore or gratuitous scares.

Director of Banners Brook Hanemann echoed Thibodeaux, saying the film reinforces their shared commitment to inclusivity with themes about “the power of friendship, acceptance and adventure.”

The movie party series launched in the spring with a screening of “The Goonies,” building toward October’s National Disability Employment Awareness Month.

Hanemann said the turnout for “Goonies” was “nothing short of magical,” with double the number of people they expected to attend in the auditorium.

“Our lobby was filled with laughter and loads of folks in costume and the smell of fresh popcorn,” she said.

The purpose of the parties is to create something impactful, an event to “include individuals with disabilities and the elderly throughout Southwest Louisiana, fostering a more inclusive and enriching experience for all,” Thibodeaux said.

There will be several accommodations during the screening, including closed captioning and designated seating areas for wheelchairs, he said.

SLIC often hosts social activities for its clients, he said, including cinema outings. However, the SLIC and Banners movie party was the result of a conversation with Hanemann about his difficulties getting a reservation at a local movie theatre and Banner’s recently acquired film projector.

This talk led to what Hanemann calls a “deeply cherished collaboration.” The parties “reflect the heart” of Banners at McNeese, which is to make the arts accessible to everyone.

“It’s about more than just showing a movie,” she said. “It’s about fostering connections, bringing joy and celebrating the strength of our community. There’s nothing better than being shoulder to shoulder with folks who continuously pour into our community.

“And what a fun way to spend Halloween!”

For a complete Halloween experience, trick-or-treat stations will be set up in the lobby for kids to collect treats. Before the movie starts, raffles and a Halloween costume contest will be held.

A concession stand with popcorn, cotton candy, soda and water will be open.