Into Film Clubs
Find out everything you need to know about starting an Into Film Club.
To welcome everyone back to school for the new term we have added ten new films to our free* streaming service, Into Film+. Relatable and entertaining, this batch of animations, dramas and documentaries has been hand-picked to broaden horizons and make important topics and curriculum subjects accessible for all.
The new school term can be a time to step into your true self. This theme is explored by the beloved antihero from the Despicable Me series in a Minions prequel, as well as by a young would-be-werewolf in 100% Wolf. Consistently one of the most popular titles on our platform, Spanish-language adventure comedy Zip & Zap and the Marble Gang sees its sequel also tackle the theme of growing up. But learning and growing are never easy, as we see in literacy-inspired Akeelah and the Bee and historical drama The King's Speech.
Dignity and integrity, especially in the face of discrimination, are key to growth, a concept that is at the core of music biopic Chevalier, Victorian drama The Elephant Man, and photography documentary Tish. And kickstarting the school year with inspiring filmmaking talent, teen drama Skate Kitchen and the post-apocalyptic 28 Days Later offer opportunities to step into the creative world of self-expression and film analysis.
For each film there is a dedicated discussion guide that highlights curriculum links and relevant topics for a deeper engagement with the film.
Minions: The Rise of Gru
This delightful prequel to the Despicable Me films is full of slapstick comedy and action sequences, with fun references to Chinese culture and accessible discussions around role models. It's good to have someone to look up to, and young Gru dreams of joining the coolest of super-villain gangs, the Vicious 6. But when his interview with them goes pear-shaped and he is kidnapped by none other than gang's ousted leader, Gru learns that even an evil mastermind needs loyal friends. Desperate to save him, his Minions must also learn to channel their inner strength with the help of a Kung Fu Master.
The accompanying film guide is designed to engage learners aged 5-8 and supports subjects including Literacy and Geography in addition to highlighting themes surrounding friendship, Asian and North American countries and animals.
100% Wolf
Good, feisty things can come in small, fluffy packages, as this Australian animation reminds us in a tale that explores family ties and individuality. Freddy Lupin is part of a prestigious family of werewolves that have been protecting his town for centuries. The day finally comes for his first wolf transformation, but in a series of unfortunate events Freddy turns into an adorable, yet ferocious, poodle. When his father disappears and his sneaky uncle attempts to take over the werewolf clan, Freddy must find a way to transform back into a teenager and restore his family's honour and legacy.
The accompanying film guide is designed to engage learners aged 8-12 and supports subjects including Art & Design and Science in addition to highlighting themes surrounding friendship, anti-bullying, monsters and animals.
Zipi y Zape y la Isla del Capitan (Zip & Zap and the Captain's Island)
This Spanish children's film is an imaginative follow-up to Zip & Zap and The Marble Gang (also available on Into Film+) and has a heartfelt message about the importance of family, while acknowledging the sometimes-strained dynamic between parents and their growing offspring. Having travelled to a mysterious island, the mischievous brothers Zip and Zap and their exasperated parents get separated after they become the guests of Miss Pam at her storybook-inspired Children's Home. Zip and Zap are at first relieved to be free of their parents nagging, but it soon becomes clear that there's something not quite right about Miss Pam's idyllic set-up.
The accompanying film guide is designed to engage learners aged 8-12 and supports subjects including Spanish and Literacy in addition to highlighting themes surrounding family, authors and characters, travel and adventure, and growing up.
Akeelah and the Bee
There is a fine line between motivation and pressure when it comes to encouraging a child, and it can feel validating and reassuring to see these feelings explored by a character on screen. Akeelah is an 11-year-old girl from South Central Los Angeles who discovers that she has an exceptional talent for spelling. She is encouraged to enter a national spelling bee competition, and gets coached by a stern but inspiring teacher, although her mother is sceptical. Up against children from the most prestigious schools and with expectations mounting, Akeelah has to find a way of believing in herself.
The accompanying film guide is designed to engage learners aged 11-14 and supports subjects including English, Literacy and PSHE Education, in addition to highlighting themes surrounding school, racism and prejudice, family and growing up.
The King's Speech
Based on true events surrounding England's King George VI, this film recounts his struggle on the lead up to his ascent to the throne in 1937 to overcome a stammer. Known as Bertie, the prince finds that his speech impediment is preventing him from confidently addressing crowds at public events and effecting his wider life. His wife convinces him to see a speech therapist who begins to help Bertie in his own unique way however, with the Royal Family in turmoil and the rising popularity of radio broadcasts, the need for Bertie to overcome his stutter becomes more important than ever. This historical drama also presents a relatable story about breaking down the barriers between each other and the best versions of ourselves.
The accompanying film guide is designed to engage learners aged 11-14 and supports subjects including English, Literacy and PSHE Education, in addition to highlighting themes surrounding school, racism and prejudice, family and growing up.
Chevalier
This next historical biopic takes us to 18th century France and the multitalented Joseph Bologne, son of an African slave and a white French slaveowner. Recognising his exceptional skills in music, dancing and fencing, his father sends him to boarding school in Paris, where Jospeh is bullied by his peers for the colour of his skin and background. Despite this, Jospeh becomes an outstanding violinist and composer and rises to the upper echelons of French society, ultimately becoming embroiled in a romantic relationship with a woman of repute that could spell tragedy for both of them.
The accompanying film guide is designed to engage learners aged 14-16 and supports subjects including History, Music and PSHE Education in addition to highlighting themes surrounding historical figures, racism and prejudice and filmmaking.
The Elephant Man
Film is a great generator of empathy, presenting the perspective of those who may be different whilst also examining what it means to be a human being. Directed by the visionary filmmaker David Lynch, this Victorian-era drama is based on the life of John Merrick, who suffered from severe physical deformities that made his face barely recognisable as human. Mistreated and exploited as a circus act during his younger years, John is soon spotted, rescued and brought to London by the Queen's own doctor. This new world promises kindness and hope for John, but the shadow of exploitation looms over his very existence and the threat of a return to his old life is never far away.
The accompanying film guide is designed to engage learners aged 16+ and supports subjects including History, Film Studies and PSHE Education in addition to highlighting themes surrounding historical periods, disabilities and inclusion and anti-bullying.
Tish
As well as being a machine for empathy, the camera also has a long history as being a tool for social justice. Tyneside photographer Tish Murtha dedicated her life to championing working-class communities like the one she grew up in, using her photos to highlight the impact of Margaret Thatcher's de-industrialisation policies. Yet despite the early success in her career thanks to her refreshing perspective, Tish also came up against the fickle and pretentious side of arts establishments, as this biographical film explores. The documentary follows Tish's daughter, who helps tell her mother's story by interviewing many of Tish's contemporaries, along with extracts from Tish's own diary entries and writings.
The accompanying film guide is designed to engage learners aged 15-16 and supports subjects including Art & Design, Citizenship and English in addition to highlighting themes surrounding poverty, photography and politics.
Skate Kitchen
Through fiction, as with documentary, film can reflect poignant and resonating truths, as is the case with this teen drama, which discusses social media, sexuality and wellbeing in a refreshing and nuanced way life. Camille is an 18-year-old from Long Island who loves skateboarding and befriends a group of girls who call themselves ‘Skate Kitchen', an ironic name in response to the idea that women are restricted to domestic spaces. Amongst the crew, Camille finds the community, support and sheer fun she yearned for, as they balance their part-time jobs with partying, skating and standing up for each other in a sport that remains dominated by young men.
The accompanying film guide is designed to engage learners aged 16+ and supports subjects including PSHE Education and Film Studies in addition to highlighting themes surrounding extreme sports, gender representation and growing up.
28 Days Later
Danny Boyle's classic British horror film often credited for revitalising the zombie genre, with its unnerving parallels between the darkest aspects of society and the truly nightmarish. Twenty-eight days after a deadly virus escapes a research laboratory, a man named Jim wakes up from a long coma in an abandoned hospital. Making his way through a desolate London, he soon realises that those who have become infected are now monstruous creatures, fuelled by rage. When he does finally find survivors looking for sanctuary, Jim will be forced to question whether a normal life will ever be possible again.
The accompanying film guide is designed to engage learners aged 16+ and supports subjects including Film Studies and English, in addition to highlighting themes surrounding music, monsters and life & death.
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 700+ 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.
