EDUCATION

Last year Aspen Film . . .

We believe film is a vibrant artistic expression and powerful communication tool, able to open windows on the world and build bridges of understanding between cultures.  Aspen Film’s school programs seek to expand world views, develop critical viewing skills, cultivate curiosity, and inspire creativity.

As more and more schools reduce or eliminate media literacy from their curriculum, Aspen Film provides a singular service with extensive free programs for youth, an underserved segment of our population with limited access to age-appropriate cultural opportunities. Aspen Film’s FilmEducates programs are incredibly popular with teachers who value film for its compelling appeal to students and its ability to illustrate issues, concepts, and ideas with succinct creativity.

Aspen Film partners with schools, art centers and youth organizations in three counties from Aspen to Rifle and beyond. From serving as a teacher resource to creating curriculum-enriching programs, we create meaningful opportunities for all grades.

Filmmakers to the Classroom

In our most popular program, national and international filmmakers visit schools from Aspen to Glenwood Springs to share their films, culture, and creative process in classroom and auditorium settings.

“Being able to participate in Aspen Film’s Filmmaker to Classroom project was absolutely one of the highlights of my festival experience. Aspen Film is really shaping student cinephiles and filmmakers who will have a great opportunity to lead their generation, starting immediately. I have no doubt that the film world will be hearing from many of these students in the years to come.”  

Eric Johnson, Writer and Producer of LOSER LEAVES TOWN, Shortsfest ‘18

Making Movies Matter

Aspen Film provides films and themed shorts packages (e.g. immigration, the environment, creative storytelling) to enrich curricula in language and visual arts, history, world geography, social sciences, ESL, etc.

Panel Discussions

Students and teachers are invited to experience in-depth public panel discussions with filmmakers and invited industry professionals on various topics relating to the art and industry of filmmaking today.

Schools to the Festival

Schools and youth programs receive free admission to public programs during Filmfest and Shortsfest. We also distribute dozens of complimentary tickets to families and young clients of health and human services.

Tickets for Teachers

To encourage local educators to identify new films appropriate for their curriculum, Aspen Film provides tickets for teachers to attend certain programs at Filmfest and Shortsfest at no charge.

Young Filmmaker Labs

At Shortsfest visiting filmmakers meet with high school students to screen films, including student works-in-progress, explore the creative process, and offer feedback.

Youth Jury

A recruited jury comprising local middle and high school students awards a student prize to their favorite Shortsfest film. Filmmakers have said that winning this award is one of the highest honors at the festival.