Collected from around the world, this compilation of short films explores a variety of storytelling techniques, from documentaries exploring the heart and soul of small town America to animated films using traditional hand-drawn and stop-motion techniques to bring their characters to life. This collection gives students the perfect smorgasbord of all the SFFILM Festival has to offer.
Teaching Tools
Learning about art and science with Lucasfilm’s ‘Star Wars: The Last Jedi’
The Art & Science of Lucasfilm program features experienced professionals from the various Lucasfilm divisions sharing their knowledge with Bay Area middle and high school students in a series of behind-the-scenes, interactive multimedia presentations that demonstrate the intersection of art and science in the entertainment industry. Each event includes time for discussion, where students have the opportunity to ask questions of Lucasfilm, supervisors, artists and engineers.
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Learning about science and determination through ‘Inventing Tomorrow’
Inventing Tomorrow is an inspiring documentary that follows the stories of young scientists from around the globe who participate in Intel’s ISEF science fair. A class screening of the film may complement an environmental science, math, or world affairs curriculum, and will encourage students to reflect on the importance of the critical thought and scientific participation worldwide. Discussion questions and supplemental materials facilitate further research into related topics such as health and the environment, community organizing, and technology development, reminding us all that kids can make a difference!
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Learning about love, survival, and friendship through ‘The Rescue List’
The Rescue List is a feature documentary that takes an intimate look at the lives of two boys, Peter & Edem living in a Ghanaian safehouse, recovering and preparing to reunify with their families, after being enslaved to fishermen on Lake Volta, in Ghana. The story also follows the unfolding drama of Kwame, a 30-year old Ghanaian man, a former child slave, who leads a team to rescue children enslaved on the lake. The lives of the Peter, Edem, and Kwame are intertwined, as Kwame and his team, care for and work with the children at the safehouse to prepare them to return home. It is a story of love, survival, and friendship.
Taught in conjunction with this guide, The Rescue List will challenge students to think critically about the impact of cultural, economic, and social factors that contribute to the child slavery market in Ghana and how to build communities capacity to combat slavery. Additionally, students will have an opportunity to reflect on the themes of hope and healing.
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Learning the importance of friendship, bravery, independence, and empathy through SFFILM Festival program, Family Shorts
Sometimes the key to growing up is staying young at heart. These inventive and touching stories imagine unsuspecting friendships and clever innovations, while capturing the joy and sadness universal to all. Travel with the whole family to Brazil, the moon, and even your own backyard in this lively and heartwarming collection of stories. Works range from new student work to Academy Award– and Emmy-nominated shorts, represented by noted studios like Cartoon Saloon and Google Spotlight Stories.