Get Animated! — Get Animated!

 

SCHOOL FILM FESTIVAL

Get Animated... In YOUR School!

This is your chance to build your OWN film festival in celebration of the NFB's annual Get Animated! series of events. All you need to do is visit the NFB's Animation Channel at www.nfb.ca/animation, choose some films (appropriate to the age level of your students), invite your students to take part, make some popcorn and ENJOY!

Here's how to do it...

  1. Make sure you have a streaming license to watch NFB.ca in your classroom. If you don't have a streaming license, you can purchase an individual subscription for $19.95. For more information, click here. This streaming license covers the public performance rights for our films and resources and allows you to watch all films on NFB.ca with your students for a WHOLE YEAR—imagine the possibilities!
  2. Choose a festival program. You can build your own program or choose from our specially curated selections, grouped by age recommendation. See some suggested programs and their running times below.
  3. Create your own playlist on NFB.ca by selecting films from the Animation Channel in your personal profile page.
  4. Assemble the necessary equipment. All you will need is a video projector (or interactive whiteboard), a laptop, some speakers and a secure hardwire internet connection. (Yes, you can use wireless, but sometimes it's not as reliable.)
  5. Promote your festival! Download a poster here and create copies to be displayed throughout your school. As an additional activity for younger students, ask them to colour in the poster. Make sure you add the details about your screening, including time and place.
  6. Pop the corn! Have some special treats on hand or prepare a concession stand to raise money for your school or a charity. Remember, if your school is a nut-free zone, serve treats that follow the rules.
  7. Two thumbs up? Host a post-screening discussion. Invite students to share their thoughts on the films they watched by organizing a mock movie review show, complete with hosts (students). Ask students what they thought of the films. Lead a discussion.
  8. Back to class... Extend the learning. Yes, your students enjoyed watching the films, now encourage them to reflect on what they have learned. Ask them to write a film review for the school newspaper, or create a podcast about their thoughts on the techniques used in the films. They can even create their own short animated film inspired by the films that they saw.

  9. Try some animation tricks in your classroom—a flipbook, thaumatrope or zoetrope, perhaps. All of these are easy to make, and help students understand and appreciate the work that goes into making an animated film.
  10. Did you love GETTING ANIMATED? Visit us again... soon! Now that you have a streaming license for NFB.ca, you can come back any time and check out what we offer specifically for educators. We are constantly adding films, teaching guides, tools and new features on our site to make using it easier, and more useful for YOU.

Here are some suggested film programs that may be suitable for your students (it is always recommended to preview films before showing them to your class). Note that some running times are longer than class times. Feel free to pick and choose the films you would like your students to see.

Ages 6 - 9
Canada Vignettes: Log Driver's Waltz, 3 min
The Girl Who Hated Books, 7 min
The Dingles, 8 min (Found in Kid's Movies, not Animation Channel)
The Cat Came Back, 7 min
Total running time: 25 min

Ages 9 - 11
The Sweater, 10 min
Canada Vignettes: Instant French, 1 min
Sleeping Betty, 9 min
What on Earth!, 9 min
Getting Started, 12 min
Total running time: 41 min

Ages 11 - 14
My Grandmother Ironed the King's Shirts, 10 min
The Sweater, 10 min
Every Child, 7 min
Sleeping Betty, 9 min
The House That Jack Built, 8 min
The Big Snit, 10 min
Total running time: 54 min

Ages 13 +
Black Soul, 10 min
When the Day Breaks, 10 min
Getting Started, 12 min
Walking, 5 min
What on Earth!, 9 min
Two Sisters, 10 min
My Grandmother Ironed the King's Shirts, 10 min
Total running time: 66 min