FILMCLUB, founded by film director Beeban Kidron (Bridget Jones' Diary: The Edge Of Reason) and educationalist Lindsay Mackie, offers pupils and teachers the chance to journey through the limitless universe of film, in an intimate and informal gathering through weekly screenings, online reviewing and industry events. Free to state schools and easy to set up, FILMCLUB is fast becoming one of the most popular after-school activities in the country, where members can encounter ideas, experiences and emotions that may not be everyday topics of discussion but which shape lives.
"What we do through FILMCLUB is discuss the films and their (the childrens') imagination is fired. They are getting experiences outside of their everyday life and it is wonderful to see their faces."
Janice Middleton, Head Teacher
Club members and teachers can access thousands of DVDs through the FILMCLUB website, www.filmclub.org, with free delivery straight to the member's school. The broad range of films available represents over 100 years of cinema, covering every genre and era of moviemaking.
Want to know more? Open to teachers, Headteachers, teaching assistants, school librarians, 6th formers - and any film-buffs in education - the FILMCLUB induction events are designed to set soon-to-be FILMCLUB leaders on the fast-track to success running film clubs in their own school or college.
At the induction session FILMCLUB team members will introduce attendees to the ethos and history of FILMCLUB, and guide them through the myriad of benefits and opportunities the scheme provides. Soon-to-be FILMCLUB leaders will meet their Support Coordinator, who will help members set up their club successfully so their students get as much as possible out of the experience. They will also be shown how to navigate around the FILMCLUB website ensuring they use its full potential and will receive help choosing the first 10 movies to order to get the ball rolling. Attendees will leave the session laden with all the ideas and resources they need to launch their own film club.
Once initiated, members of FILMCLUB also have the opportunity to take part in the unique ‘Close Encounters' programme, which arranges VIP guest visits and interactions with film industry experts, enabling students to attend Q&A sessions, screenings, workshops and movie-set visits. Educational and inspiring, ‘Close Encounters' lifts the veil on filmmaking and opens up new paths in film for young people to explore. Previous VIP guests who have visited FILMCLUB members include screenwriter Lee Hall (Billy Elliot), actor Michael Sheen (Frost/Nixon, The
Queen), film director Gurinder Chadha (Bend It Like Beckham, Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging) and actress/screenwriter Emma Thompson (Nanny McPhee, Sense and Sensibility).
One year on from its launch, 1991 schools have joined FILMCLUB, with over 56,000* young people already benefiting from the exposure to inspiring and potentially life changing films every week. It has proved to be a success in a spectrum of ways, including improving the enjoyment of attending school, developing critical appreciation and highlighting the entertainment value of non-mainstream films. Based on recent research carried out by FILMCLUB amongst its schools on the impact of the scheme, results showed the initiative is proving hugely beneficial to children's academic and social development;
- Over 80% reported that FILMCLUB has a positive effect on children's receptiveness to learning.
- 94% said that FILMCLUB develops children's critical reasoning skills.
Across the board the research confirmed that FILMCLUB fulfils the objectives of Every Child Matters in being both educational and enjoyable. FILMCLUB really is making school a happier place with 84% of 345 primary and 82% of 373 secondary school respondents claiming that they enjoy coming to school more because of FILMCLUB.
"The off-the-shelf nature of FILMCLUB - rightly prized by the teachers - is a huge advantage. It is one of those opportunities where relatively low effort is needed to formulate or implement, but they yield extremely beneficial outcomes in terms of learning and ethos."
Professor Tim Brighouse
Places on the FILMCLUB induction sessions are limited - sign up now and come along to find out how FILMCLUB can benefit your school and pupils. Visit www.filmclub.org and click on ‘I want to set up a club' and follow the easy steps. Alternatively, call a member on the schools team on 0207 288 4520 for further information.
