Scottish programme announced for world’s largest free film festival

Hailed as the largest of its kind festival, the event hosts up to half a million pupils and their teachers from across the country. Each year, the free festival showcases classic film screenings host by special guests from the world of film.

The festival also offers students a magical, big-screen experience and provides insight into the film industry with the talent that brought the films to life. All film titles are accompanied by film guides and resources that align with the curriculum

This year, the festival will open at Edinburgh Zoo with a special screening of the critically acclaimed, animated film Kensuke’s Kingdom, based on Michael Morpurgo’s best-selling book. The opening event will be hosted by young, Scottish actor, Aaron MacGregor who voices the main character, Michael, in the film.

(Image: Kensuke’s Kingdom) Other events will be hosted across Scotland, with some reaching as far as Orkney thanks to the digital mobile cinema, Screen Machine.

Fiona Fowler, General Manager, Regional Screen Scotland, said: “We’re thrilled that Screen Machine can again be part of the Into Film Festival this November by bringing the magic of the big screen to three islands in Orkney: Westray, Sanday and Stronsay. We have worked hand in glove with Into Film for ten years – together we share passion for education through film in a most unique cinema.”

The Festival is accessible to as many young people throughout Scotland as possible with SEN and autism-friendly screenings and events, as well as more screenings than ever for the d/Deaf and hearing-impaired.

(Image: Screen Machine)

What’s on?

Festival programme highlights across Scotland include:

• – Film screening of Kensuke’s Kingdom and Q & A with Aaron MacGregor – Edinburgh Zoo
• – Film screening of Kensuke’s Kingdom and Q & A with directors, Neil Boyle and Kirk Hendry – Tiree plus additional online industry workshop
• – Film screening of Orkney-set The Outrun followed by a careers panel with  some of the Scottish based crew involved in the production – Glasgow
• – A Scots language screening event featuring The Room on the Broom for younger pupils – Glasgow
• – Screen Machine special screenings reaching some of the far-flung Orkney islands throughout the Festival – Orkney
• – Screenings for younger pupils of Inside Out 2, screening for World Kindness Day; Despicable Me 4; Robot Dreams; The Garfield Movie and  The Wild Robot.

For older students, highlights include: 

• Back to Black
• The Fall Guy
• A Quiet Place: Part One
• Kingdom Of The Planet Of The Apes. 

Documentaries include:  

• To The End
•  Is There Anybody Out There?
•  Food Inc. 2
•  All That Breathes 
• Wilding 
• Copa 71  

Popular classic films including: 

• The Lavendar Hill Mob
•  Made in England: The Films of Powell & Pressburger.