Into Film Clubs
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The summer holidays are just around the corner, and cinemas across the UK are offering an exciting range of new releases for young people to discover. From lively family animations and spectacular mythological adventures to thought-provoking documentaries and coming-of-age dramas, this month's films provide plenty of opportunities for entertainment, reflection and classroom discussion.
Minions & Monsters brings slapstick humour and a playful ode to cinema history, and Disney's live-action Moana revisits a much-loved story of courage and care for the environment. A new animation inspired by Animal Farm opens up accessible conversations about equality for younger audiences, while Christopher Nolan's interpretation of The Odyssey brings big-screen spectacle to the Greek epic. The documentary Shoot the People celebrates the activism and artistry of Black Lives Matter photographer Misan Harriman, and the British drama Ish sensitively explores friendship and institutional racism. Finally, the sequel Spider-Man: Brand New Day promises a return to classic superhero core values and narratives.
Minions & Monsters (U) - in cinemas 3 July
The adorable Minions are back, this time trying their hand at filmmaking! Set in 1920s Hollywood, the film follows a tribe of Minions who accidentally become major movie stars, gracing the silver screen in classical noirs and westerns. But when their fame begins to fade, they decide to produce their own monster movie. What could possibly go wrong? Using an ancient spellbook that belonged to one of their previous villainous masters, they inadvertently conjure up actual, rampaging creatures, wreaking havoc across Los Angeles. This slapstick animation delivers raucously silly fun, as well as serving as an accessible homage to the golden age of cinema. You can also watch Minions and Minions: The Rise of Gru along with the rest of the Despicable Me franchise on Into Film+ for free* in your classroom.
Shoot the People (12A) - in cinemas 10 July
This rousing documentary explores the life and career of activism of British photojournalist Misan Harriman, inspiring viewers to recognize their own power in shaping a more just society. Born in Nigeria before attending boarding school in the UK, Misan was drawn to photography and its power to document the beauty of collective action. His photographs of protests related to George Floyd's murder and the Black Lives Matter movement have travelled around the world, and he was also the first Black man to shoot a cover for British Vogue. His recent photojournalism coverage includes marches for Palestine in England. As well as exploring these historical contexts through Misan's lens, we see him meet with notable figures such as human rights activist Martin Luther King III and US congresswomen Ilhan Omar.
Moana (PG) - in cinemas 10 July
Ten years after the sensational seafaring animation (available to watch on Into Film+ along with the sequel, Moana 2) comes a live-action reimagining of Moana, accompanied by all the beloved songs and with some of the original voice cast members reprising their roles. The film follows the spirited daughter of a Polynesian village chief who is chosen by the ocean to restore a mystical relic to the goddess Te Fiti. With her island under ecological threat, she sets sail on an epic quest to track down the demigod Maui, braving monsters and the treacherous sea to save her people. This exhilarating adventure explores themes of courage, environmental balance, and preserving cultural heritage.
The Odyssey (certificate TBC) - in cinemas 17 July
Arguably one of the most epic tales ever told is now brought to the screen by director Christopher Nolan, known for his visually spectacular style and ambitious storytelling in films such as Inception and Oppenheimer (available to watch on Into Film+). In Ancient Greece, the legendary King Odysseus manages to win a decade-long war by smuggling soldiers into the enemy city of Troy inside a giant wooden horse. But his journey home to the island of Ithaca proves to be equally long and perilous, battling angry gods and mythological monsters as he races to reunite with his wife Penelope and son Telemachus before his kingdom falls.
Animal Farm (PG) - in cinemas 17 July
This new adaptation of the classic George Orwell novel reinterprets the story so as to also make it accessible for younger audiences, while adding some relatable modern references. After realising that their owner is set to send them to the slaughterhouse, the animals of Manor Farm rebel against farmer Mr Jones and take over the settlement for themselves. After collectively deciding on some basic rules - the most important of which is that ‘all animals are equal' - the pigs, horses, dogs and other animals live in harmony for a brief period. But as certain power-hungry pigs try to assert their authority, the farm becomes more oppressive and unequel, with some animals giving themselves more rights than others.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day (certificate TBC) - in cinemas 29 July
Set four years after Spider-Man: No Way Home, Peter Parker continues to fight crime in the city of New York under his alias of Spider-Man. But having voluntarily erased himself from the memories of his loved ones in order to protect them, he is isolated and lonely. As he struggles with the pressure of seeing old friends move on in life, his body begins to malfunction as his DNA undergoes a mysterious mutation that he seems unable to control. All the while, an invisible villain plunges the city into crisis, and Peter must come to terms with his transformation and confront the unforeseen consequences of his past. For even more Spider-Man stories, you can watch the first two animations of the Spider-Verse animated franchise on Into Film+.
Ish (15) - in cinemas 31 July
This poignant coming-of-age tale captures the nuanced struggle in childhood friendships when it seems like you may have out-grown each other, and also tackles tough subjects such as racial profiling and grief. Ish and Maram are 12 years old and are spending the summer holidays in their hometown of Luton gaming and building their woodland den. Ish, who has recently lost his mum, is put out when Maram also wants to hang out with some older boys. But after Ish leaves Maram all on his own during an upsetting police stop and search, they struggle to retain their friendship. As the group of boys lash out with anti-social behaviour, Ish's family wonders how to support him.
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 to schools. 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.
How Do I Get Started?
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're a state school in England that's funded by the Department for Education, you will automatically have access to Into Film+ Premium, which offers an extended catalogue of 800+ titles. Find out more about Into Film+ Premium in 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.
