The BFI is expanding its education and entertainment provision for young audiences
The programme is available at BFI.org.uk and via supervised access on BFI Player – there are also more curriculum-based film activities to support families and carers from BFI and its educational partner Into Film. Check out some of what they offer for children and young people below (some free, some subscription), or find out more from the BFI.
UNDER 5s
There’s a free collection of short films, Films for Fives and Under, including the first film adaptation of Alice in Wonderland in 1903.
UNDER 7s
Get crafty with animation – they can create their very own stop motion animation using a video guide produced by the BFI. (Requires a camera phone or tablet and a free stop motion app.)
UNDER 11s
Browse the BFI Family collection with movies to rent from only £1. Pick a classic from your own childhood like Flight of the Navigator or Chicken Run, or newer fare such as Shaun The Sheep Movie.
11 TO 15s
15 year and under? Check out the updated list of films to watch before you’re 15 (#FilmsBefore15), produced by the BFI and its educational partner Into Film. Each film is listed with age recommendations, streaming links and and learning resources.
16 AND OVER
The BFI have curated Coming Of Age, rites of passage movies including Céline Sciamma’s Tomboy and Sally L Hosaini’s My Brother The Devil.
MORE RESOURCES
For over 11s there are resources to help with home learning, offering support with languages and media studies. The free worksheets cover French, Spanish and Mandarin and accompany film clips and free full length films.
For teens and tweens studying English Literature BFI Player has a Based On The Book rental collection including classics such as Frankenstein (James Whale, 1931 – Cert PG) and Pride & Prejudice (Joe Wright, 2005 – Cert U).
The BFI have also put their young filmmakers’ clubs online. Information and costs:
Adult supervision is required while children are using BFI Player, all account holders must be 16 years of age.