I'm working at the San Francisco International Film Festival's "Schools at the Festival" program this year. We're gearing up for our first screening on Friday. It's a great program -- a wonderful opportunity for bay area teachers to take learning to a new level. Here's how it works: teachers are invited to bring their students to view entertaining and thought-provoking films at the festival. All of the youth screenings take place during school hours, and cost is only $1 per ticket for public schools, and $2.50 per person for all other schools.
Students learn about the subject matter presented in the films (which can almost always be tied to their existing schoolwork in some way), as well as the medium of film. They're encouraged to think about films critically and consider things like the filmmaker's perspective, the target audience, the way music, lighting and composition work together to elicit feelings, how editing plays a part in the message that's delivered, and more. TEACHERS, if it doesn't work out to bring your students this year, contact the Film Society for future events. Incorporating film in your classroom is a fun way to break from routine and spice up your curriculum.
Check out the Schools at the Festival website for more info.
For a listing of this year's film screenings, click here.
PARENTS! You might want to look into the 2011 Young Filmmakers Camp if your kids are interested in learning how to create films :)
