It started with two friends and their love of film.

Now it's a monthly event for nearly 100 Fenton residents including music, snacks and conversation.

Fenton residents Patrick Perfitt and John Strayer will be starting up a new session of the Fenton Film Series on Jan. 12.

After attending showings of French films in Fenton about a year ago, the pair decided to expand the concept. They put together a free series of films to broadcast at 7 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month at the Fenton Community & Cultural Center.  The first series was shown starting in September and after a break for the holidays, another series is set to begin Wednesday.

"It was a lot of fun and people liked it, so we decided to expand it," Perfitt said.

This series, which runs through June, features several different films.

The first will be Buddy, a comedy highlighting the relationship between three friends.

"We try to pick movies that aren't popular, but are still fantastic movies," Strayer said.

On Feb. 9, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind will be shown. The film features Jim Carrey in a story of a couple and the ability to have the memory of each other erased.

"It's great for film lovers," Strayer said. "They are all well made movies."

Strayer said he personally watches and approves the movies and finds them often by following his favorite directors and screenwriters. He also looks for suggestions on the group's Facebook page. The films are aimed towards young adults and adults, but the pair try to stay away from films with a lot of sex and violence.

"Believe or not, there are films without sex or violence," said Perfitt, who considers himself a film buff. "We like movies that make people think."

However, the series is not just about the big screen.

Doors open an hour early at the event and includes local musicians and snacks with plenty of conversation, Perfitt said.

"It's a casual setting," he said. "We want to bring some culture to the community and have everyone have a good time."

The pair said the event has averaged 50 to 75 people, but are hoping for around 100 for each film in the current series. The Fenton Downtown Development Authority donated $1,500 to help fund the series and several local businesses have chipped in.

The lineup for the series also includes:

• No Impact Man: The Documentary (2009) on March 9.  A New York family abandons the high-class lifestyle to try and live a year with no environmental impact.
• Standing in the Shadows of Motown  (2002) on April 13. A documentary about the Funk Brothers, who backed up dozens of Motown artists.
• I've Love You for So Long on May 11. (2008) on May 11. A story that features a woman trying to find her place in society after 15 years in prison
• Beer Wars on June 8 (2009) on June 8. A documentary on the battle between small craft breweries and the big players in the industry.