Into Film Festival 2018 strands announced

11 Jun 2018

4 mins
Into Film Festival attendee at East Dulwich Picture House in 2017
Into Film Festival attendee at East Dulwich Picture House in 2017

Now in its sixth year, the Into Film Festival - the largest youth-focused film festival in the world - takes place 7-23 November, and features thousands of free film screenings, workshops and talks, all programmed specifically for 5-19 year-olds and their teachers or educators. Bookings are now live, so be sure to secure your places today!

Below, you can find details of this year's Into Film Festival strands, each packed with expertly curated films, ranging from archive classics, to modern foreign language, to contemporary blockbusters - some even include previews of films yet to be released!

Year of the Woman: Empowered Voices

In a year in which we note the 100th anniversary of the right of some women to vote in the UK, we acknowledge that there is still much change needed if we're going to achieve gender parity in society. From the perspective of the film industry, it's been widely championed this year that female representation on and behind the screen is key to the development of the art form, its audiences and the industry's economic growth. Utilising the powerful tool for change that we know film can be, the titles in this strand will focus on female characters and are all 'F-rated' - a policy that aims to specifically highlight female storytellers, whether as director or screenwriter. Films made by a female director and screenwriter that also feature female-centric narratives receive the gold star triple F-rating.

Curriculum links: PSHE, Citizenship, History, Modern Foreign Languages (MFL), Geography, Politics, Black History Month

The resource accompanying this strand will have open-ended discussion questions aimed at Secondary aged audiences.

Anim18 Connections: An Animated World

Anim18 is a celebration of animation taking place across the whole of the UK until November 2018, led by Film Hub Wales and the Chapter Arts Centre in Cardiff with a host of project partners. Whilst the main focus of the celebration is on British animation, Into Film is pleased to be working in partnership with Anim18 to also tell the story of international animation and its connection to the UK through the blockbuster, heritage and archive films that will be featured in this strand.

Curriculum links: PSHE, Geography, English, Art, Design and Technology, Film Studies, Modern Foreign Languages (MFL)

The resource accompanying this strand will have open ended discussion questions aimed at Primary aged audiences.

Visions of Europe

As we prepare to leave the European Union, we take a moment to reflect on our relationship with continental Europe and their respective film industries, film culture and history, with this strand featuring significant film titles from the past and present. Each country represented - including the UK -  has their own unique ‘cinematic voice' but the themes addressed by the filmmakers are, more often than not, universal. So rather than hopping on a plane, train or coach, immerse yourself in European film culture without leaving the comfort of your local cinema! 

Curriculum links: History, PSHE, Modern Foreign Languages (MFL), Geography, Citizenship

The resource accompanying this strand will have open ended discussion questions aimed at Primary and Secondary aged audiences.

Mental Wellbeing: Moving Minds

This strand aims to open up discussion around young people and mental health. The mental health spectrum is vast and complicated, and unpicking what mental wellbeing means to you can be a challenging task in itself, not to mention being aware of the impact that mental health issues can have on the people around you. It's important to be there for others, but equally important to learn how to take care of yourself. The films in this strand highlight characters achieving this with very varying degrees of success.

Curriculum links: Anti-bullying, PSHE

The resource accompanying this strand will have open ended discussion questions aimed at Primary and Secondary aged audiences.

Saving the World: Eco Warriors, Superheroes and Revolutionaries

What does saving the world mean to you? Environmental issues may immediately spring to mind: from the devastating impact of single-use plastic we've heard about this year, through to the unpredictable weather patterns we've all experienced. Current and former politicians around the globe are doing their best to save the world we live in today, but some filmmakers have looked to the future, considering the dystopian ways of life and/or environmental disasters that we could be headed towards if we don't try to effect change on either a grand or local level. On a more fantastical level, in their various cinematic universes, the superheroes we know and love continue to come to the rescue of world from a myriad of threats! Whichever way you think about it, saving the world is never going to be straightforward...

Curriculum links: PSHE, Citizenship, Geography, English, History, Politics

The resource accompanying this strand will have open-ended discussion questions aimed at Primary and secondary aged audiences.

Comedy Genius: Slapstick to Subversive

You can find details of Comedy Genius: Slapstick to Subversive, our special sixth Festival strand complementing the BFI's own blockbuster autumn season, below.

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