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Film Education: A User's Guide

Find out all about film education with this course from BFI, and its partners DFI, Cinémathèque Française and Vision Kino.

6,586 enrolled on this course

Classroom of children using film equipment to make a film

Film Education: A User's Guide

6,586 enrolled on this course

  • 4 weeks

  • 4 hours per week

  • Digital certificate when eligible

  • Intermediate level

Find out more about how to join this course

Learn how to design and start your own film education programme

The BFI is a world leader in film education. On this course, you’ll discover why film education matters and learn how agencies across Europe have successfully advocated for film education.

From experienced and knowledgeable practitioners from the UK, Germany, Denmark, France, Spain, Slovenia, Italy, Greece and more, you’ll discover how to design, organise, and manage film education programmes for your learners or community.

You’ll learn from people working in prestigious film archives and festivals, those training teachers, and those running school-cinema programmes and film education NGOs.

What topics will you cover?

  • Rationales behind film education - why it matters
  • Approaches to watching and choosing, analysing and making film - practices that work
  • Case study on film education with pre-schoolers
  • Practice in cinemas, festivals and archives
  • National strategies and why they work
  • How to evaluate the impact of film education

When would you like to start?

Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.

  • Available now

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Explain the core and common rationales behind film education: why teachers and other educators think film education is valuable, and the arguments they use to advocate that value
  • Explore the wide range of film education approaches that exist, and how they differ between countries, and between age groups and different sectors
  • Identify how different cultures and education systems manage and promote film education, and how they evaluate its impacts and benefits
  • Propose and advocate for film education programmes of your own, in your own country or setting
  • Demonstrate a strong grasp of the key approaches to teaching about film, and how different skills like film analysis and production mutually enhance and support each other

Who is the course for?

This course is designed for educators working in the film or media education who are looking to broaden their knowledge and expertise, try out new ideas, and learn about great practice.

This course is also designed for policymakers, cinema and festival workers, archive educators, strategic bodies and agents who are looking for good practice and good examples of international film education.

This course is co-funded by the Creative European MEDIA Programme of the European Union.

Who will you learn with?

I've been working at the BFI in London for over 20 years, looking after a range of education programmes and projects. Before that I taught in schools in south London as an English and Media teacher.

Ian is a teacher, author, producer, screenwriter and director and has worked on a number of European projects, including the Framework for Film Education. He has won 2 BAFTA's.

My primary working field is developing hands on film activities for schools and preschools – both in the film studios FILM-X and in schools, libraries and daycare institutions.

I'm looking after film education at La Cinémathèque française, especially involved in european and international programmes.

Martin Brandt-Pedersen works at the Danish Film Institute as a consultant in film education and educational manager for Filmcentralen/Education, a learning platform and a streaming service for schools

Editor of film education, Danish Film Institute. Main focus is the streamingsite and learning platform Filmcentralen/Education. Developed and facilitated courses in film educaction for many years.

Charlotte Giese works as Special Advisor at the Danish Film Institute, focusing on Film Education for Next Generations –with key areas such as Creative Film Studios, Pre-School and European programs.

Sabine Genz has been part of the VISION KINO Team and is, among other things, responsible for teaching material, monthly film recommendations for education and copyright issues.

Who developed the course?

The British Film Institute (BFI)

The British Film Institute (BFI) was founded in 1933 and is a charity governed by a Royal Charter. It has three priorities – education, supporting the UK film industry and unlocking film heritage.

Endorsers and supporters

funded by

EU logo

content provided by

Danish Film Institute logo

content provided by

La Cinémathèque française logo

content provided by

Vision Kino logo

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$27.99

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Ways to learn

Choose the best way to learn for you!

Subscribe & save

$27.99

For the first two months. Automatically renews

Develop skills to further your career

  • Access to this course
  • Access to 1,000+ courses
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Digital certificate when you're eligible

Cancel for free anytime

Buy this course

$134/one-off payment

Fulfill your current learning need

  • Access to this course
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible

Limited access

Free

Sample the course materials

  • Access expires 25 Apr 2024

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

T&Cs apply.

Learning on FutureLearn

Your learning, your rules

  • Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
  • Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
  • Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores

Join a global classroom

  • Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
  • Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
  • Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others

Map your progress

  • As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
  • Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
  • Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate

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