Sage College hosted filmmaker Lee Hirsch for a screening of the much talked about movie "Bully." Our Madeleine Rivera has more on how the message affected the college students.

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ALBANY, N.Y. -- Sage College welcomed someone with a hopeful message to campus.

"It's really moving to see him here and taking his time and really caring about the message he's sending out," said student leader, Gerard Beaudin.

Director Lee Hirsch spoke with students about his latest film 'Bully' after student leaders and faculty members organized a screening. The school wants to raise social awareness among students.

"Sage is taking a new initiative with the Civility project which is cornerstoned on compassion, respect, and integrity," said Beaudin.

'Bully' follows the families of kids who've been victims of bullying. It focuses on middle and high school students. But Hirsch says the movie should not just resonate with this audience.

"College is like elementary, middle, or high school. Have to think about that school climate, school culture. Are they valuing empathy? Are they valuing how students care for each other, how faculty and staff care for each other and how that messaging filters down," said Hirsch.

There were two events with Lee Hirsch on Thursday. One which Albany High School students were able to attend and the other for Sage students to be able to watch the movie and talk to the director.

There was a lot of controversy regarding the rating for the movie because of some profanity that was featured. But that hasn't stopped teachers and students from seeing the movie as an important way to show how damaging bullying can be.