Short Films + Workshops

Students in grades 4-7 attend a hands-on filmmaking workshop accompanied by a program of short films tailored to your grade level. We provide study guides to prepare your students for the program and encourage follow-up back in the classroom. Each film program will be followed by a Q&A with filmmakers or a discussant. Please read the requirements for booking and send your reservations early. You will be added to our waiting list if we cannot immediately fill your request. Rest assured, we are typically able to accommodate our entire waiting list and make every effort to fulfill your first choice. The film programs and workshop descriptions are listed below.

When: April 8 – April 12, 2019, at 9:45 AM – 1:00 PM
Where: Roundhouse Community Centre

To register: Please fill in the form. Email education[at]r2rfestival.org if you have any questions or concerns.
Cost: $185 per class (groups of up to 30 students)
Cancellation Policy: Your booking must be cancelled at least two weeks in advance for a full refund  Please send your cancellation in writing to the Education Coordinator.

We also recommend Feature Focus as an alternative to Reel Focus, and Fresh Frames for students in grades 1-4.

It’s a Girl’s Life

Monday, April 8, 2019

Girls take centre stage in this mixture of unconventional and playful short films, addressing issues of gender equality for boys and girls. Recommended for grades 4-7, 75 minutes.

Themes: family, religion, racism, comedy

Indigenous Spotlight

Tuesday, April 9, 2019 

These storytellers draw us closer to their inner worlds and shine a new light on Indigenous experience and culture. Recommended for grades 5-7, 75 minutes

Themes: family, the natural world, honouring traditional knowledge, spiritual worlds

Animate and Relate

Wednesday, April 10, 2019

These shorts highlight how things correlate. Representing the finest animation of the year, they are best suited for the youngest among us, including the inner child of any adults. Recommended for grades 4-5, 75 minutes

Themes: connection, comedy, family, friendship

Doc Day

Thursday, April 11, 2019

Each documentary in this program is unique in form and topic. Treat yourself to a smorgasbord of delights that are sure to excite the mind and senses. Recommended for grades 5-7, 75 minutes

Themes: gender, Indigenous history, accessibility, feminism

Hard Knock Life

Friday, April 12, 2019

Whether you’re a boy who might be a cat or a child caught in an abusive situation, it may be difficult to understand what’s happening. These films offer a starting point by raising questions about the challenges some children face. Recommended for grades 6-7, 75 minutes

Themes: parental neglect, racism, family, animals, identity

Workshops

Handmade Film

Explore the art and history of cinema. Students will etch and draw on 16mm celluloid to create a collaborative short film. At the end of the workshop students will be able to see their work projected.

Sound in Film

In this interactive workshop, students will learn about the elements that make up the soundtrack of a film: music, effects and dialogue. In small groups students will create a soundtrack for an animated clip using MacBook Pro computers.

Cut Out Animation

A variety of pre-fashioned and cut out materials will be used to create characters and sets. In small groups, using video capture techniques, students will be taken through the steps of creating a short story.