Into Film Clubs
Find out everything you need to know about starting an Into Film Club.
Supporting mental and emotional health within children and young people is vital within educational and youth settings, and at home. It's a topic that should always be prioritised, and at the forefront of our minds when considering ways to support children at different developmental stages of their lives, including during primary and secondary years at school.
In the lead up to World Mental Health Day on 10 October, we want to help educators feel equipped to allow children and young people to be seen, heard, and supported. Using film in the classroom can be an ideal way of exploring topics such as grief and bereavement, bullying, big life transitions, loneliness, and relationships.
Lack of understanding around mental health issues, and a lack of access to support, can be a barrier to children getting the help that they need. What's more, the rise of social media has changed the landscape for young people, and can negatively impact a child's relationship to themselves and the world (although if used with intention and education in mind, it can be a thought-provoking and creative way of connecting children with one another). This is why we want to help equip teachers, educators and youth workers with the knowledge and resources they need to support the next generation.
The collection of films below, all of which are available to stream with Into Film+, have been specially chosen for their mental health themes and can be used to support young people of all ages get to grips with complex topics which they may have difficulties navigating.
Plus, if you're a state school in England that's funded by the Department for Education, you'll have access to Into Film+ Premium, which offers even more films with which to explore stories centred around mental wellbeing.
Meanwhile, teachers of secondary-aged students can join our free Mindfulness Through Film online course, which explores how film watching and filmmaking can be used to introduce mindfulness principles and exercises into the classroom.
Jump to...
Feature films: primary
Inside Out (U)
A perfect primary-aged Pixar adventure which explores the vastness of human emotions and how children can begin to understand them, as well as how to begin facing up to some of the challenges involved in growing up and coping with change.
Inside Out on Into Film+ includes an introduction from children's mental health charity Place2Be, a short documentary exploring the topic of emotions and how they're conveyed in the film, and an interview with the film's co-director, Ronnie del Carmen. An accompanying film guide also helps explore themes of mental health, growing up, family, friendships and school life.
Big Hero 6 (PG)
14 year-old Hiro is a robotics wiz, wowing his scientist older brother with amazing inventions and winning a place at a prestigious university. However, when tragedy strikes, Hiro has to use his skills for much more serious and dangerous purposes. This action-packed animation brilliantly combines Disney's traditional animation with the world of superheroes and also has a poignant message about the importance of friendship in difficult times.
With an accompanying film guide to help explore family, friendships, life and death, and mental health.
My Life as a Courgette (PG)
A film that broaches challenging subjects in a sensitive and colourful way, as Courgette, a 9-year-old boy, is moved to a children's home after the death of his mother. This French animation highlights grief and bereavement through a gentle exploration of the thoughts and feelings that a young person might have when facing a difficult period.
My Life as a Courgette on Into Film+ includes a special introduction from Into Film, and a short documentary explaining UNICEF's Rights of the Child and how some of those rights are demonstrated in the film. An accompanying film guide also helps explore themes of anti-bullying, life and death and mental health.
Where The Wild Things Are (PG)
Maurice Sendak's story of Max, a little boy experiencing a lot of emotion, sent to bed without supper who sails away to a land of strange creatures, is one of the most-loved children's books. The film does a good job of expanding the story and filling in the details and bringing the huge wild things to life.
With an accompanying film guide to help explore emotional development, anti-bullying and family dynamics.
Feature films: secondary
Dear Evan Hansen (12)
This timely coming-of-age musical, based on the hit stage show, follows a teenage boy suffering from social anxiety who becomes an overnight internet sensation, and explores topics including mental health, social media, and the importance of family in all its forms.
You can also watch our informative Q&A with Dear Evan Hansen director Stephen Chbosky, actor Nik Dodani, and Jane Caro, a mental health expert and Assistant Director for Programmes in England from the Mental Health Foundation, hosted by broadcaster and campaigner Gina Martin.
With an accompanying film guide to help explore themes of family, friendships, mental health, growing up and anti-bullying.
Loving Vincent (12)
Made up of 65,000 painted frames, this is the first fully oil painted feature film, which cleverly brings to life the work of the Dutch Post-Impressionist artist Vincent van Gogh and explores the intriguing mystery surrounding his death.
With an accompanying film guide to help explore themes of mental health and life and death.
Monster (12)
This Japanese drama, with children and school-life at its centre, has a maze-like story structure that explores prejudice, rational thought and a key developmental time for young people, concluding in an empathetic and dramatic fashion.
With an accompanying film guide to help explore themes of safety, family dynamics and growing up.
Scrapper (12)
Georgie is a hugely charismatic 12-year-old girl who has found herself living alone after the sudden death of her loving mother. Evading social services using her ingenuity and paying rent through stealing bikes with her best friend Ali, her seemingly content world is upturned after her father, the youthful and spiky Jason, appears on her doorstep with unclear motives. Initially attempting to get rid of him by any means necessary, father and daughter soon find themselves bound together by grief, resentment, and the need for something more out of life.
This warm-hearted and funny British film takes a small story and turns it into something endearing and universal. With an accompanying film guide to help explore themes of life & death, poverty and family.
Joker (15)
One of fiction's most famous villains gets an origin story in this dark comic-book adaptation that sees as an aspiring comedian in Gotham City begin to psychologically unravel after his funding for psychiatric support is cut, leading him to take on a dangerous new persona.
With an accompanying film guide to help explore themes of mental illness, fame, ethics and crime and punishment.
McQueen (15)
This documentary follows the life and influential work of fashion designer and creative, Alexander McQueen. With intimate access to those closest to him, the film highlights his rise to fame, subsequent decline, and his struggles with mental health and addiction.
McQueen on Into Film+ includes an introduction from co-director and writer Peter Ettedgui and an exclusive interview with Ettedgui and fellow director Ian Bonhôte. With an accompanying film guide to help explore themes of addiction, food and health, mental health, fame, and consumerism.
System Crasher (15)
Bennie is a nine year old girl whose life has become very complicated. Due to her anger issues, which seem to stem from a childhood trauma, Bennie cannot seem to control herself long enough to find a home, whether that is at a children's sanctuary or living back with her own biological mother. On her endless search for love and acceptance, Bennie drives everyone around her to despair. Is there anybody that can help her?
This German-language drama is a smart, intense and realistic look at how the care system works and how we, as a society, can often fail those who are most vulnerable. With an accompanying film guide to help explore themes of growing up, child safety and family.
Short films
All Of Our Shadows (Unclassified)
8 mins, recommended for ages 11+
All of us move among shadows, but some shadows are scarier than others. This short, animated film examines these times of uncertainty and anxiety in young people, following a day in the life of a teenage boy as he faces his fears and concerns. Can he confide in his school mates? Will they ignore him? Will they mock him? Will they help him? Made with the input of secondary students and focusing on what they consider to be the biggest pressures in their lives, All of Our Shadows is a visually creative take on a difficult but valuable talking point amongst young people today.
Barricade (Unclassified)
11 mins, recommended for ages 14+
From ‘unwelcome attention' to ‘nasty pranks', sexual harassment and assault in school is a problem that can fly under the radar unless it is called out for what it is. While listening to music on her headphones on the bus, Aleena is harassed by some boys who think it's all a big joke. Traumatised, she tries to speak to a teacher about it but gets cut off. She grows aware of a normalisation of unacceptable behaviour, but then discovers a magical safe space and experiences a connection with another classmate. This empowering moment triggers a small act of rebellion in Aleena, which transforms the classroom. This is a powerful short film that promotes peer support and a culture of zero tolerance towards abuse.
I Am Good at Karate (Unclassified)
11 mins, recommended for ages 11+
Coming from a family with a long history of depression and anxiety, a young teenager finds themselves face-to-face with their own personal demons, who have taken the form of a large and colourful monster made of torn-up football shirts. This short and personal film, shot on gorgeous 35mm film, tackles mental health in the United Kingdom in both a surreal and relatable fashion, focusing in on the small things that give us strength.
Homebound (Unclassified)
10 mins, recommended for ages 11+
In this experimental documentary, the anonymous voices of young people, recorded at home while in lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic, are knitted together with a series of evocative portraits of empty urban spaces and pent-up youthful energy. The result is an introspective and empathetic piece of visual poetry, which may offer catharsis and inspiration to young audiences searching for their own expression.
Home (Unclassified)
5 mins, recommended for ages 5-14
This short film collaboration between Save the Children and Aardman marks one year since the war began in Ukraine and explores the challenges experienced by young refugees faced with displacement. Brilliantly depicted without dialogue, this colourful animation encourages discussions around migration and isolation in a gentle and accessible way for younger age groups.
A Beautiful Mind (12)
This tender and compassionate film tells the true story of mathematical genius John Nash, who has the ability to solve the world's most complex equations, but struggles with his own mental health. With a powerful central performance and evocative direction, this film highlights the quest for knowledge, the importance of science and the healing power of empathy.
A Street Cat Named Bob (12)
Based on his autobiography, this is a tale about James Bowen, a recovering drug addict living on the streets of London. After a chance encounter with a stray ginger cat who he decides to name Bob, the busker begins to turn his life around largely thanks to this new feline friendship. This is the true story of how one man and his cat overcame adversity to prevail, becoming inspirational figures to many in the process.
Torn (12)
This documentary depicts the remarkable ripple effect that a mountaineering tragedy had on the survivor, and the family of those who died.
Films and more from the Educational Recording Agency
As well as the feature films and shorts listed above, Into Film+ also features an ever-growing collection of films and TV content provided by ERA (the Educational Recording Agency). This includes a trio of documentaries that see British celebrities opening up about their own experiences with various mental health issues.
Nadiya and Me is an open and sometimes raw documentary which follows Great British Bake-Off winner Nadiya Hussain, as she explores her experiences with anxiety and her quest for help.
Also available is David Harewood: Psychosis and Me, which sees the British actor exploring a period of psychosis he experienced as a younger man, spending time with young people currently receiving treatment for psychosis, along with emergency NHS and police teams in Birmingham. It's a raw and personal investigation into some of the underlying causes of psychosis, and addresses the stigma attached to mental health conditions in society.
And finally, Jesy Nelson: Odd One Out explores the Little Mix singer's experience of cyber-bullying in the wake her success on The X Factor, and sees her meet with young people, parents and specialists to discuss how social media can negatively impact one's body image.
Further resources
As well as the feature films and shorts listed above, we have an abundance of teaching resources exploring topics to support your students emotional wellbeing and understanding of the world. Take a look at our free downloadable resources below.
How Do I Get Started?
To access Into Film+, all you'll need is an Into Film Account - it's completely free*, and only takes a moment to set up. Into Film+ is free to use for all UK state schools that hold a valid Public Video Screening (PVS) Licence from Filmbankmedia.
Filmbankmedia PVS Licences are paid for on behalf of schools by all local authorities in England and by some local authorities in both Wales and Scotland. Into Film NI cover the license cost for some schools in Northern Ireland. For further information on licensing in your locality please see our FAQs.
If you're a state school in England that's funded by the Department for Education, you will automatically have access to Into Film+ Premium, which offers an extended catalogue of 500+ titles. Find out more about Into Film+ Premium in our FAQs.
If you don't have a PVS Licence, or aren't already covered, then a licence can easily be obtained from Filmbankmedia.
Filmbankmedia
Filmbankmedia licenses and distributes film and TV entertainment to many groups and is the licensing authority we work with to ensure schools, libraries and youth groups have the permissions to screen films from our catalogue.
* Screenings for an entertainment or extra-curricular purpose require a PVS (Public Video Screening) Licence from Filmbankmedia. State-funded schools in England are covered by the PVS Licence.
The core Into Film programme is free for UK state schools, colleges and other youth settings, thanks to support from the BFI, awarding National Lottery good cause funding, and through other key funders including Cinema First and Northern Ireland Screen.
