FilmMatters

What is FilmMatters?

FilmMatters, is the Foundation’s educational outreach programme for elementary – secondary school students and teachers. We offer films free of charge to schools across the GTA. FilmMatters gives teachers a unique opportunity to utilize film as a powerful teaching tool and to engage students in the study of important and relevant issues such as racial and cultural sensitivity, diversity and citizenship.

Whether encouraging them to learn from history or introducing them to inspirational figures who are making a difference in today’s world, FilmMatters seeks to motivate students to become active participants in “tikkun olam,” making the world a better place. The films used in the FilmMatters programme are accompanied with resource packages that teachers can utilise in the classroom both before and after the screening.

FilmMatters has been delivering diversity, anti-racism and active citizenship education through film since 2007. We offer schools the opportunity to attend free screenings of films that deal with issues of cultural, racial and religious diversity.

Our mandate is to build bridges between diverse communities using film as a means of encouraging dialogue. The films chosen for our programme can be applied across the curriculum, from English through to History and other Humanities subjects. Each of our screenings is followed by a guest speaker with expertise in the issues raised in the film and teachers are provided with detailed lesson plans to use in their classrooms.

We are now able to offer FilmMatters Online, providing free in-class access to select FilmMatters programmes (films and study guides).

Who is FilmMatters For?

FilmMatters in-theatre programme is open to all public, separate, private and supplementary schools across the GTA.

FilmMatters has successfully worked with elementary, middle and secondary schools within the: Toronto District School Board, Toronto Catholic District School Board, Peel Region School Board and York Region School Board.

FilmMatters Online is accessible to all educators across Canada.

How Do FilmMatters in-theatre programming and FilmMatters Online Work?

FilmMatters offers turn-key programming for teachers by providing relevant and meaningful films, detailed lesson plan study guides and informative guest speakers.

FilmMatters in-theatre programming takes place at Innis Town Hall on the University of Toronto downtown campus (one block south of the St. George subway station).

FilmMatters Online films and study guides can be accessed at any time. Click HERE

Email to join the mailing list for updates on all FilmMatters programming: filmmatters@tjff.ca