Young movie fans help launch festival
PUPILS from Cardiff and Merthyr Tydfil helped launched the world’s biggest youth film festival being held in Wales throughout this month
The Into Film Festival, running until November 24, offers five to 19-yearolds a free trip to their local cinema, including almost 200 film screenings and events across Wales.
Teachers and pupils from Cathays High in Cardiff and Pen-y-Dre High in Merthyr attended the launch of the festival at Penarth Pier which included a special screening of Blade Runner 2049.
The festival is organised by Into Film Cymru, a UK-wide education charity which works to promote film in learning.
The charity said its studies show film can develop literacy and increase pupil engagement in school – especially in less advantaged areas.
More than four in 10 of schools in Wales that run Into Film Clubs have higher than average Free School Meal (FSM) entitlements.
A recent UK-wide survey of teachers running Into Film Clubs showed 80% reported participation had improved literacy, 92% said it enhanced pupils’ access to culture and 95% said it increased pupils’ enjoyment of school.
The charity aims to use the festival to encourage more schools to set up the clubs, which provide free access to films, teaching resources, special events and opportunities to learn about careers in the creative industries.
Teacher Gareth Price, from Pen-yDre High, said: “The Into Film Festival provides our pupils with an opportunity to see films on the big screen in an idyllic traditional setting.
“Many of our pupils have never been to a cinema outside their hometown. Visiting an iconic cinema such as Penarth Pier Pavilion cinema as part of the Into Film Festival is a fantastic opportunity to broaden cultural horizons and raise career aspirations”
Non Stevens, head of Into Film Cymru, said: “We see film as a powerful tool to support not only our education system in Wales but our economy.
“Film is our fastest-growing industry, generating nearly £1bn a year, and it’s important that each and every child is given the opportunity to make the most of the opportunities on offer to watch, make and understand film.
“With one in three children in Wales living below the poverty line, Into Film is committed to making film accessible to all.”
The Into Film Festival receives funding from Cinema First and support from the BFI through National Lottery funding and has support from major UK cinema chains and other venues.
The festival runs until November 24. All events and screenings are free. For programme details, to book tickets and download resources, including Welsh curriculum-linked resources, visit www.intofilm.org/ festival