Film Agency News
3rd February 2010
Schoolchildren tell Welsh Assemby why innovative Filmclub scheme should be made widely available.
Welsh schoolchildren have visited the Senedd to tell Assembly Members why they believe FILMCLUB should be made widely available in Wales.
FILMCLUB is supported by the Film Agency for Wales along with actor Michael Sheen, FILMCLUB’s ambassador for Wales. In a personal message recorded for the event, the actor, who is currently filming in America, said:
“FILMCLUB is a wonderful project which has the potential to empower and inspire so many young people. Films have educated me as much as school has and I wish I’d had something like this when I was at school. Through FILMCLUB young people in Wales can understand Welsh culture in the context of the wider world; they can broaden their horizons, be inspired to recognize their potential and tell their own stories so the rest of the world may one day hear them.”
A recent survey of over 700 teachers and youngsters, including English and Welsh schools, reveals the scheme has a wide range of educational and social benefits including: improving literacy and critical reasoning skills, increasing confidence, increasing pupils’ enjoyment of school and – crucially – integrating isolated and disengaged children.
Each week pupils are able to select from thousands of titles courtesy of LOVEFiLM, arranged in special seasons appealing directly to young people. Members also post their own film reviews, enter competitions and find out more about the film industry through interviews and news features on the FILMCLUB website. Teachers are invited to take part in free induction sessions and receive ongoing web and telephone support. FILMCLUB’s ‘Close Encounters’ programme of educational and inspiring school visits by world-famous industry specialists lifts the veil on filmmaking and show pupils that the world of cinema is in their reach.
In addition FILMCLUB has just launched a season of ‘Welsh Movies’ – including How Green Was My Valley, Under Milk Wood, The Edge of Love and other great titles linked to the area – available to members through the website. The launch, coinciding with the secondary school pupils’ visit to the National Assembly, will enable FILMCLUB members to experience their country’s film-making and also promote Welsh culture to members in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
One of over 50 Welsh teachers to have already expressed interest in joining the scheme if funding becomes available is Cate Vinton, an English Teacher and former FILMCLUB leader who recently moved to Wales from England:
“In my part of South Wales there seems to be a lack of opportunity to participate in after-school activities unless you are going to excel. You don’t need to be ‘good’ at anything to join FILMCLUB which is very liberating for students. I really hope we can join FILMCLUB in 2010 so we can benefit from its unique approach to raising confidence, engagement and fun in school.”
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