Joseph Campbell called films our modern mythology; we see ourselves in characters both familiar and remarkable and their journeys teach us what it means to be human. Films have the power to inspire and influence.
A film course empowers students to deconstruct how meaning is made in the construction of those messages.
My film students start with a careful examination of contemporary films, specifically the ones that they've found have made an impact on thier own lives. As they dive deeper into an understanding of film language and explore a variety of films from across cultures and times, the develop a larger understanding of how meaning is made in film.
Analysis and practical film-making provide a cycle of learning in which the students are able to respond to contemporary issues with voices both imaginative and confident.
Many of the films here have received awards and recognition from a variety of film festivals, but more importantly, the students walk away with a great capacity to collaborate in a creative environment; a skill that will help them in many of the careers and projects that they will pursue.
IB Film
Traces Final
Hana-Bi
Flight - IB Film
Rules of the Train
COMPANY
Detention
Lemonade
Seasoned
說不出的味道 (Indescribable Taste) Will after Inaritu
SASPX IBfinalfilm SandraWei TheBear
2030
Tart
Film Education
Film Festivals
I co-founded the Shanghai Student Film festival in 2007 in order to give students the opportunity to share their vision with an authentic audience. Fifteen years later, thousands of students from more than 20 schools from Shanghai and beyond have participated in our workshops, film challenges, and screenings. Visit the S2F2 website to learn more.
This year, my students and I at Nido de Aguilas are planning a student-led film festival in which they will work with local students to teach them filmmaking and communication skills and meet with professional filmmakers.
International Baccalaureate
Film Program
In addition to teaching the IB Film class for the past 15 years, I have worked as a film examiner on three different assessments and have collaborated with film teachers around the world and Cardiff on the development of the new upcoming 2025 film curriculum. In addition, I was commissioned by IB to write a proposal for the new regulations around copyright and worked on the team to revise the guidance and regulations for the 2023 curriculum update. I am also an admin of the Facebook IB Film Teachers group that is now over 800 members strong. This year, my colleague Erick Pessoa and I are developing the InThinking website for IB Film, due for launch in late 2024 or early 2025.