BOOKINGS NOW OPEN FOR THE FIRST NATIONAL YOUTH FILM FESTIVAL

– Schools invited to explore geography through film with free screenings and resources-

Climate Change, the environment and life in different parts of the world are just some of the themes that teachers and pupils are invited to explore at the first National Youth Film Festival, taking place from 21 October–8 November 2013. With an entire strand called ‘What on Earth?’, and free screenings including Chasing Ice, the story of one man’s mission to gather evidence of climate change, Beasts of the Southern Wild, the compelling story of a six year-old girl whose community is threatened by a storm, and Earth, about a year in the life of planet earth, the festival offers many opportunities for teachers to use the medium of film to engage pupils in geography in challenging new ways. A series of post-screening discussions hosted by Oxfam and Friends of the Earth will provide added interest.

This groundbreaking new Festival is free to school groups all over the UK and offers young people aged 5-19 the chance to enjoy a wide variety of films, learn about film-making and meet film industry professionals. Linked to a packed programme of over 1600 free screenings, Q&A’s, workshops and events are over 100 teaching resources, including several related to the curriculum, to enable teachers to use screenings to bring learning to life, develop review writing and critical skills, or teach pupils about film and filmmaking. These range from a resource about using film in the classroom to guides to individual films to encourage pupils to reflect on different issues, and stimulate post-screening discussions and continued work back in the classroom. For full details of festival events, and to book free tickets and access resources, visit

The programme will have a strong emphasis on young people and film-making, with short films made by young people shown at every screening during the festival, and programming by young people to highlight films that have particularly resonated with a young audience. Filmmaking workshops, competitions and awards will be offered giving young people the opportunity to showcase and develop their skills. NYFF has also produced a free, downloadable In-school Festivals ‘how to’ guide to encourage schools to run their own mini festival.

The festival will provide young people from all backgrounds with the opportunity to engage with film in challenging ways including those in disadvantaged areas who may not otherwise have access to cultural experiences. Research by the Tom Fleming Consultancy shows that film in the classroom can be a highly effective educational tool, improving literacy and communication skills, broadening cultural horizons and engaging isolated pupils. 87 % of teachers also say it increases the enjoyment of learning, and the ability to share and debate with others.

The National Youth Film Festival will take place annually in venues throughout England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, with 407 cinemas confirmed to take part this year, screening over 130 films. Continuing on the success of National Schools Film Week, the Festival is aimed at schools and colleges and tickets can be booked free of charge by teachers. It is delivered by FILM NATION UK and supported by the TES and UK wide film industry including BFI, Cinema First and RealD 3D.

Highlights from the Festival programme include:

  • A premiere of British drama The Selfish Giant (for secondary schools) and gala previews such as Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 2 3D (for primary schools).
  • Over 1600 screenings and events including recent releases such as The Bling Ring, Wadjda and Monsters University, foreign language films such as Therese Desqueyroux and La Belle et La Bete, classic titles including Oliver! and Peter Pan, and silent movies. Every film has been curated for its own educational value and has teaching resources attached to enhance the film going experience and develop learning.
  • Q&A’s, workshops and masterclasses in which industry experts will share their experiences and knowledge, with speakers ranging from Peter Lord (Co-founder & Director at Aardman Animation) to an underwater cameraman, costume designer and acting talent.
  • Childhood favourites – the favourite childhood films of the stars, including Dame Helen Mirren (Cinderella), Guillermo Del Torro (Frankenstein) and Stanley Tucci (Oliver!) will be screened including a short piece from each on their choice.
  • Charity involvement– Friends of the Earth, Oxfam, Stonewall and Save The Children are involved in post screening discussions about relevant and topical issues such as climate change, sexuality and the environment.

The National Youth Film Festival forms a key element of a new four-year programme funded by the BFI and Cinema First for watching, making and learning about film, which will be available to every child and school in the UK and will be delivered by FILM NATION UK, a new organisation, that builds on the work of two leading film education charities, FILMCLUB and First Light. The BFI is investing £26 million of Lottery funds over four years – the largest investment in film education ever seen in this country – so that every five to 19 year-old in the UK has the opportunity to receive film education through the bold new programme of activity and representing for the first time ever a single unified programme for watching, making and learning about film. FILM NATION UK’s activity will deliver a rich cultural and educational relationship with film available in cinemas, through initiatives like the new National Youth Film Festival, at after school film clubs and a new digital platform to not only provide interaction with multiple audiences but also allow every young person, school and youth group access to a rich resource bank and body of support.

FILM NATION UK enjoys the additional support of the film industry through funding from Cinema First – the exhibitor and distributors’ industry body that values the role of film education in developing a new audience for cinema.

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For information contact , 07778 917 322

Notes to Editors

About the BFI

The BFI is investing £26m of Lottery funding over four years for FILM NATION UK to deliver a bold and visionary new film education programme, available to every 5-19 year old and the 26,700 schools in the UK. The BFI's aim is to create a single unified programme for watching, making and learning about film in order to safeguard and boost future film audiences through learning and appreciation of film and stimulate a new generation of filmmakers and film talent.

The BFI is the lead organisation for film in the UK with the ambition to create a flourishing film environment in which innovation, opportunity and creativity can thrive by:

  • Connecting audiences to the widest choice of British and World cinema
  • Preserving and restoring the most significant film collection in the world for today and future generations
  • Championing emerging and world class film makers in the UK
  • Investing in creative, distinctive and entertaining work
  • Promoting British film and talent to the world
  • Growing the next generation of film makers and audiences

The BFI is now a Government arm’s-length body and distributor of Lottery funds for film. The BFI serves a public role, which covers the cultural, creative and economic aspects of film in the UK. It delivers this role:

·As the UK-wide organisation for film, a charity core funded by Government

·By providing Lottery and Government funds for film across the UK

·By working with partners to advance the position of film in the UK.

Founded in 1933, the BFI is a registered charity governed by Royal Charter. The BFI Board of Governors is chaired by Greg Dyke.

About Cinema First

Cinema First is a cross-industry group representing cinema exhibition and distribution, charged with promoting and protecting the cinema-going experience. Responsible for the allocation of funds generated by the Orange Wednesdays promotion, Cinema First has supported initiatives to improve children’s education about and understanding of film and cinema as well as raising public awareness about the importance of Intellectual Property and copyright protection. Representing the whole industry, Cinema First is now a significant benefactor of Film Nation UK through cash and in-kind commitments. The Board of Cinema First comprises senior executives from Odeon, Cineworld, Vue and Showcase Cinemas, the Cinema Exhibitors’ Association (CEA), Universal, 20th Century Fox, Sony, StudioCanal and Film Distributors’ Association (FDA).