The film forum as a driver of cultural transformation in engineering education

Abstract

The training of contemporary engineers requires integrating technical competencies with critical and social skills; however, the challenge remains of consolidating strategies that generate cultural transformation in predominantly technical contexts. Based on a previous study that demonstrated that film forums foster critical thinking through the collective analysis of audiovisual narratives, this research analyzes its consolidation as a permanent institutional practice in the library of a higher education institution in northeastern Mexico. The study was conducted using a descriptive, mixed-methods, non-experimental, and cross-sectional design during the August–December 2025 semester, through the application of 72 post-session surveys with Likert-type items and open-ended questions. The results show high levels of satisfaction, intention to continue participating, and recommendation of the program, as well as interest in subsequent cultural exploration. The qualitative analysis revealed the creation of a community and the redefinition of the library space as an active environment for dialogue. It is concluded that film forums have evolved from a pedagogical strategy to a cultural tool with institutional impact, strengthening the comprehensive training of engineers.