Welcome to FilmEd Classroom, New York International Children’s Film Festival’s film education portal. FilmEd Classroom is a film-based K-8 curriculum designed to provide meaningful arts engagement, support media-literacy, and hone critical-thinking skills. Here you’ll find free films and learning materials to lead meaningful conversations and arts experiences with your K-8 students.
FilmEd’s inaugural theme is Identity. Additional FilmEd materials and expanded themes will be released throughout the school year. Subscribe to our newsletter to find out when additional Lesson Plans are available.
Each Lesson Plan includes theme-based, grade-appropriate short films to watch along with teaching materials. Select your grade level below to access the short films and FilmEd Lesson Plan you need to start teaching. Materials can be adapted for younger or older grades. We welcome you to take a look and see what might be the best fit for your class.
Grades K-2
Introduce young viewers to the theme of identity through a focus on character, narrative, and diverse perspectives.
Grades 3-5
Invite students to think critically and engage in active viewing. Inquiry-based discussions, creative activities, and reflections encourage connections to themes of identity.
Grades 6-8
Diverse stories and filmmaker points of view connect students to themes of identity. Reinforce comprehension and critical-thinking skills through active viewing, inquiry-based discussions, and reflection.