The Into Film Festival which begins at Edinburgh Zoo with a star-studded screening.
Edinburgh will play a starring role in this year’s Into Film Festival, the world’s largest film festival for young people. The 11th edition of the free educational event will launch on 8 November at Edinburgh Zoo with a special screening of the critically acclaimed animated film “Kensuke’s Kingdom” based on Michael Morpurgo’s book.
Young Scottish actor Aaron MacGregor, who voices the main character Michael in the film, will host the opening event in the capital.
The Into Film Festival, running from November 8-29, offers hundreds of free screenings and events across Scotland. The festival aims to provide students with a magical big screen experience while offering insights into the film industry.
While the zoo screening is the official start of the UK festival, Edinburgh cinemas and venues will also host events throughout November. The programme includes a wide range of films suitable for all ages, from animated features for younger pupils to thought-provoking documentaries for older students.
The charity explains that educational resources accompany all film titles, aligning with the curriculum and adding to the learning experience. The festival also includes special screenings for students with additional needs, ensuring that the event is accessible to as many young people as possible.
Local teachers are encouraged to take advantage of the unique opportunity which also includes the chance of learning to write reviews and submitting those for a writing competition.
Bookings for the festival are now live, with events allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
The Into Film Festival is supported by Cinema First and the UK film industry, with additional backing from the BFI using National Lottery funding. .
Festival programme highlights in Scotland include:
– Film screening of Kensuke’s Kingdom and Q & A with Aaron MacGregor – Edinburgh Zoo
– Film screening of Kensuke’s Kingdom and Q & A with directors, Neil Boyle and Kirk Hendry – Tiree plus additional online industry workshop
– Film screening of Orkney-set The Outrun followed by a careers panel with some of the Scottish based crew involved in the production – Glasgow
– A Scots language screening event featuring The Room on the Broom for younger pupils – Glasgow
– Screen Machine special screenings reaching some of the far-flung Orkney islands throughout the Festival – Orkney
– Screenings for younger pupils of Inside Out 2, screening for World Kindness Day; Despicable Me 4;Robot Dreams; The Garfield Movie and The Wild Robot.
- For older students, highlights include:
- Back to Black
- The Fall Guy
- A Quiet Place: Part One and Kingdom Of The Planet Of The Apes.
- Documentaries include: To The End
- Is There Anybody Out There?
- Food Inc. 2
- All That Breathes
- Wilding
- Copa 71
- Other popular classic films will be played at some venues including: The Lavender Hill Mob and Made in England: The Films of Powell & Pressburger.
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