Into Film Clubs
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International Women's Day takes place on 8 March and this year's theme is #AccelerateAction, calling for increased momentum and urgency in addressing systemic barriers and biases that women face globally, in all spheres of their lives. To help you celebrate International Women's Day in the classroom, we have curated a list of some of the best films and resources to explore this topic with your learners, with films for both primary and secondary audiences.
Our curated list includes feature films, shorts and documentaries including Disney's musical Moana, smash blockbuster hit Barbie and the classic All About Eve. We have also released a series of careers-focused Industry Insider resources, where women industry professionals give their insight into various screen industry roles.
Film has the power to spark passion, create change and highlight the action that still needs to be taken to create an equal world. We hope that the collection of films and teaching resources below will help support you and your learners to do just that.
How can you use film to celebrate International Women's Day?
Each of the films included in our list has an accompanying film guide to help teachers highlight the key topics, lead assemblies and start conversations with your learners. You can create your own Highlights and Playlists - making it easier than ever before to tailor your lessons around the films you're teaching, enhancing both engagement and learning outcomes.
Delve into the achievements and impact of significant women throughout history, explore the experience of being a woman in our world, and identify the changes that still need to happen for gender equality. Explore how representations of women in storytelling have changed over the years, and how perceptions of a woman's position in society have evolved over time. Discover stories featuring independent and determined women, trans rights and refugees, to bring International Women's Day to life in your classroom with Into Film+
Into Film+ is our free* streaming service for schools, and offers 700+ curated educational films, exclusive additional content and teaching resources, guides and training, supporting educators to feel confident in bringing topics and discussions around women into the classroom, not just for International Women's Day, but throughout the year. Join the 27,000 teachers in the UK using Into Film + as an educational resource this International Women's Day.
Please note: Film is a powerful tool for learning, helping to develop critical thinking, empathy, and an understanding of different perspectives. Our films have been selected with consideration to age-appropriateness, safeguarding, the curriculum and statutory and non-statutory guidance on Gender Questioning Children (draft, for consultation) for schools and colleges in England. Some of our films and resources include sensitive content which is highlighted in the guidance that Into Film provides with each film. Educators should carefully watch or read all elements of any content and must ensure they are following their own school's policies and guidelines prior to using films and resources in the classroom or in after-school clubs. The final decision to use any film or resource sits with teachers, who should decide what is appropriate for their students using their professional judgement and their knowledge of their students, their school context and their community. Teachers must follow their school's safeguarding protocol if a student is distressed or makes a disclosure as a result of the use of any film or other content.
We've also launched a new collection of Industry Insider resources, which offer young people the opportunity to hear from women in the screen industries talk about their career, and share tips for young people interested in their roles and following in their footsteps.
Uplifting future filmmakers
In spring 2024, we partnered with Swatch on our Time to Inspire storyboard competition, as part of our Every Child a Filmmaker initiative. The aim of this exciting, educational competition was to engage and support young people to develop their creative skills and imaginations by designing a storyboard about what inspires them. The winning team would then turn their storyboard into a finished film.
The winners were Leah, Lian, Eva, Christina, and Paree; a group of 17-year-old film lovers from Sheffield. Their storyboard was made into a short film, called Dinosaur.
Winning means the absolute world. The fear of not being able to make it into such a massive industry was overwhelming but this has helped me understand I do have the talent for film and I should be proud of what we've been able to accomplish. It truly is a once in a lifetime opportunity.
Paree, young filmmaker and part of the winning group for our Time to Inspire competition.
The experience has given the girls the confidence to forge a career in the screen industries, and with these five girls determined to make their voices heard, we can't wait to find out how they shape the future of filmmaking.
Feature Films - Primary
Moana (PG)
Moana is a courageous teenager who seeks to follow in the footsteps of her ancestors by traversing the dangerous Oceanic seas in this inspiring story for young women.
On Into Film+, Moana is accompanied by a film guide and our Finding Your Way in the World resource.
Wadjda (PG)
A sweet and uplifting story about a ten-year-old who refuses to let the fact she's a girl stop her from doing the things she wants to do.
On Into Film+, Wadjda is accompanied by a film guide and an interview with the film's director.
Queen of Katwe (PG)
Phiona is a young girl born and raised in Katwe, a slum in the capital city of Uganda, who discovers that she's a chess prodigy in this is uplifting film about aiming high and never giving up.
On Into Film+, Queen of Katwe is accompanied by a film guide and interviews with the film's director and main cast.
Feature Films - Secondary
Polite Society (12)
When a martial-arts obsessed teen meets her sister's new boyfriend, she immediately becomes suspicious and sets out to expose his darkest secrets. Showcasing a heady mix of Bollywood, action and comedy, Polite Society also reflects on sisterhood, tradition and forging your own path.
Barbie (12)
‘Barbie' is a funny, fiery and forthright satire which explores the dynamics and media representations of gender.
On Into Film+, Barbie is accompanied by a film guide to help you explore the film and its themes, which include topics surrounding gender representation, fame and consumerism, and love and relationships.
The Swimmers (15)
Based on a remarkable true story, this dramatic and uplifting portrayal of sport and girlhood rings out with empowerment.
On Into Film+, Persepolis is accompanied by a film guide that discusses sisterhood, refugee journeys and the power of sport.
La Mif (The Fam) (15)
This French drama follows a group of troubled girls living at a residential care home as they navigate unexpected tensions and new friendships. Directed with a great sense of authenticity by a former care worker collaborating with a largely non-professional cast of actors, La Mif is an insightful and powerful look at the ramifications of abuse whilst highlighting the importance and difficulty of social work.
On Into Film+, La Mif is accompanied by a film guide to help you explore the film and its themes with your learners.
Tangerine (16+)
A transgender street worker, recently released from prison, attempts to track down the boyfriend who has cheated on her. Shot exclusively on an iPhone, this is an extraordinary piece of filmmaking, with compassionate characters, which remains gorgeously visual.
The film guide is useful for exploring topics including Film Studies in addition to highlighting themes surrounding LGBTQ+ issues, gender representation, production, and community.
All About Eve (U)
Witty and charming whilst also maintaining a cruel edge, All About Eve is also an early example of film delving into its own mythology, exploring the toxic nature of how women are treated in showbusiness and the dangerous desire for immortality.
The film guide is useful for exploring subjects including Film Studies and Drama in addition to highlighting themes surrounding gender representation, fame and consumerism, film history, and theatre.
Mulan (1998) (U)
The story follows a girl who disguises herself as a man so that she can fight in the army, replacing her father who's too frail, exploring themes of gender and honour.
Use the film guide to explore the key themes with your learners.
Tangled (PG)
Sassy and fun CGI animation re-working of a classic fairytale - a princess who's been locked in an evil witch's tower.
On Into Film+, Tangled is accompanied by a film guide to help you explore the film and its themes in addition to highlighting themes surrounding animation, fairytales and growing up.
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (U)
Tense spinoff of the Star Wars film series, in which an underground resistance group attempt to sabotage the Death Star, a dangerous super-weapon.
King Richard (12)
King Richard is a sharp and emotional look at the early days of sporting icons Venus and Serena Williams and the impact their father had on their careers, whilst also being a wholly entertaining story with a fantastic lead performance.
Brooklyn (12)
Unashamedly melodramatic, rich in elegant period detail and impeccably performed, this is above all a relatable story of a young woman striving to define her identity.
On Into Film+, Brooklyn is accompanied by a film guide to help you explore the film and highlighting themes surrounding North American countries, refugees and immigration, family, friendships, love and relationships, growing up, historical periods, and community.
She Said (15)
She Said is based on the book written by the two journalists who broke the story around sexual abuse in Hollywood, which helped ignite the #MeToo movement around the world.
Women of Impact: Changing the World (11+)
With stunning footage from around the globe of conservation work in action, the film invites us to discover the opportunities for everyone to explore the natural world.
Akashinga: The Brave Ones (11+)
Documentary short about a trained group of female rangers who protect endangered animals from poachers.
The Cave (11+)
Documentary about a group of female doctors facing sexism as they treat injured patients during the Syrian Civil War.
Into Film+ Shorts
Barricade (14+)
After being sexually harassed on her school bus, a girl is inspired to commit a small act of rebellion.
Azaar (14+)
Coming-of-age short about a young South Asian girl who longs to wear the red veil of womanhood, but unintentionally exposes her mother's secret.
How Do I Get Started on Into Film+?
To access Into Film+, all you'll need is an Into Film Account - it's completely free, and only takes a moment to set up. Into Film+ is free to use for all UK state schools that hold a valid Public Video Screening (PVS) Licence from Filmbankmedia.
Filmbankmedia PVS Licences are paid for on behalf of schools by all local authorities in England and by some local authorities in both Wales and Scotland. Into Film NI cover the license cost for some schools in Northern Ireland. For further information on licensing in your locality please see our FAQs.
If you don't have a PVS Licence, or aren't already covered, then a licence can easily be obtained from Filmbankmedia.
Filmbankmedia
Filmbankmedia licenses and distributes film and TV entertainment to many groups and is the licensing authority we work with to ensure schools, libraries and youth groups have the permissions to screen films from our catalogue.
* Screenings for an entertainment or extra-curricular purpose require a PVS (Public Video Screening) Licence from Filmbankmedia. State-funded schools in England are covered by the PVS Licence.
The core Into Film programme is free for UK state schools, colleges and other youth settings, thanks to support from the BFI, awarding National Lottery good cause funding, and through other key funders including Cinema First and Northern Ireland Screen.
