The INTO FILM Festival returns with 3000 free screenings and events from 9 – 25 November 2016 – Diversity, Wellbeing and Anti-Bullying are the key themes of world’s largest annual youth film festival
A free trip to the cinema is once again on offer for schools all over the UK this Autumn as part of the Into Film Festival, which returns with its UK-wide programme from November 9th to 25th. With a strong focus on using film to support learning, the world’s biggest youth film festival offers a host of opportunities to engage young minds through the immersive magic of cinema. Now in its third year, it supports Into Film’s vision to put film at the heart of young people’s learning and personal development.
3,000 free screenings and workshops, many linked to topical themes or subjects in the curriculum, will seek to creatively involve 450,000 5-19 year-olds and educators, from all backgrounds and corners of the UK, in watching and making films, some for the first time. The annual event, made possible by funding from Cinema First and support from the BFI through Lottery Funding, as well as a wide collaboration with UK cinema industry partners and delivery partners National Schools Partnership, will build on the success of last year’s festival, which saw over 415,000 young people and educators attend.
“Can I take this opportunity to say thank you for the great job you are doing in opening up the world of film to the next generation.”
Teacher, Niki Clare
(attendee at Into Film Festival 2015)
This year’s thought-provoking programme will offer a range of stories curated with six themes in mind. Mapped against the curricula of the four nations, the selected film titles – encompassing blockbusters, adaptations of novels and plays, British and classic films, documentaries, foreign language and world cinema – will address the importance of diversity and encourage young people to empathise with others. Films exploring changes in circumstance, environment, bullying and transition will offer the chance to debate current topics including immigration, loss and discrimination as well as individuals, movements and achievements that have changed the course of history or challenged our way of life.
The Weird and Wonderful strand offers up magical and fantasy worlds, talking animals and alternative realities, with films such as Finding Dory (U), The Secret Life of Pets (U), Yellowbird (PG), Alice Through the Looking Glass (PG) and Goosebumps (PG). It also explores the wonder of nature through titles including the new IMAX film A Beautiful Planet 3D (U) which will be on offer in multiple IMAX screens across the UK.
Culture Shock, incorporating titles like Inside Out (U), French film Zarafa (PG), Oscar winning Brooklyn (12) and Carol (15), popular adaptation The Divergant Series: Allegiant (12) and German thriller Victoria (15), opens a window onto the lives of others, and encourages young people to consider how changes of environment, significant life transitions, and being out of step with the social norm can affect people.
With films such as The BFG (PG), Gnomeo and Juliet (U), Studio Ghibli favourites My Neighbour Tortoro (U), and Spirited Away (PG) and, for older pupils, Suffragette (12), The Divide (12) and Spotlight (15), the Game Changers strand will prompt young people to discover or learn more about significant cultural figures, movements, and historical events and how they have shaped our world.
See It, Be It focuses on narratives that feature aspirational and positive role models and celebrates strength in all aspects of diversity – gender, LGBT, BAME and disability. Titles range from Zootropolis (PG), Frozen (PG) and Tomboy (U) to French comedy La Famille Belier (12), remake The Magnificent Seven (12) and GBF (Gay Best Friend) (15).
Words Can Hurt encompasses themes of wellbeing – including stories with anti-bullying messages – that underline the importance of treating everyone with respect and encourage empathy for others. Titles include Dahl adaptations James and The Giant Peach (U), Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory (U) and Matilda (PG) – all of which support the Anti-Bullying Week 2016 theme Power for Good – as well as, among others, Love and Mercy (12), Me, Earl and the Dying Girl (12), and Steve Jobs (15).
Supporting the BFI’s new Black Star blockbuster season, the Black Star strand will celebrate the range, versatility and power of black actors with films such as All Stars (U), Star Wars: The Force Awakens (12), Hotel Rwanda (12), Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom (12), Selma (12) and 12 Years A Slave (15).
Teaching resources linking to each of the Festival strands will be available to download from the Into Film Festival website, providing teachers’ notes and activity outlines for use before and after screenings to facilitate further exploration of the films and the themes within them. Also available will be individual guides to accompany many of the films, Into Film Festival guides for different age groups and a dedicated resource for students with SEND.
Autism-friendly screenings will be widely available and over half of the screenings on offer will be accessible to attendees with a visual or hearing impairment through audio-description and subtitling. Events will be held showcasing short films created by young people in and around the local area of the host venue. Q&A’s with filmmakers including big names from across the industry, and workshops and talks by notable speakers on themes ranging from animation and reviewing to copyright, film classification and careers in the film industry, will provide further opportunities for a memorable school trip that’s both educational and enjoyable.
In a survey of teachers who attended last year 98% felt the Festival activities were valuable to the broader education of young people and 83% said the Festival has made them more likely to use film or cinema visits to support the curriculum.
“Working in an area of social disadvantage, visiting the cinema is not a regular occurrence, in fact for the majority of our children the Into Film Festival is the only time they are able to go. The Festival is loved by children and staff alike and the films themselves provide an unparalleled catalyst for planning a plethora of exciting tasks, activities and learning opportunities across all subjects.” Margarita Acklam, Broadway Junior School, Sunderland
“The Q/A session breathed life into our study of the film industry and was of direct and invaluable benefit. The students really enjoyed the whole experience. It has made them more receptive to films that may not initially appeal to them. Visiting the cinema is quite expensive for them – this was a fantastic opportunity to see a film they wouldn’t normally see in an amazing venue that they wouldn’t normally visit.” Linda Cramer, Head of Media, St Marks Catholic School, Hounslow
The Into Film Festival 2016 will take place from 9th – 25th November. Bookings go live Tuesday 6 September. All events and screenings are free. For information visit www.intofilm.org/festival