Education

Education banner

Cinema/Chicago Education

At Cinema/Chicago, we recognize that film is a powerful tool. Established in 1992, our year-round Education Program brings film to Chicago students, showcases the creativity of young filmmakers and facilitates the development of young audiences.

Educational Screenings

Established in 1992, the Education Screening Program provides Chicago Public School students and educators access to international, documentary, short and local films – introducing this audience to new cultures and languages as well as thought-provoking themes and perspectives through cinema. Our goals are not only to give students from across the city and of diverse backgrounds the opportunity to view unique films but also to transform them from passive audience members to active, engaged viewers and thinkers. Because Chicago Public School teachers have limited financial resources to provide students with field trip experiences, Cinema/Chicago provides buses, theaters, films, speakers, study guides, and teacher support entirely free of charge.

Annually, Cinema/Chicago brings over 7,000 students from more than 45 Chicago Public Schools into theaters throughout the school year for our special screenings.

Study Guides

Prior to Education Screenings, study guides are provided to give students background to the cultural context of the films, highlight themes and historical references and introduce questions that encourage personal examination of the films’ subject matter. Each screening is followed by a Q&A with filmmakers, subjects and/or film professionals and professors. Study guides from past Education Screenings are available to educators to use any time in the classroom. These programs are made possible by the support of generous sponsors and patrons.

View our Study Guides

CineYouth

Created in 2005, Cinema/Chicago’s CineYouth Film Festival is designed to encourage youth filmmakers in their creative endeavors. CineYouth provides opportunities for young filmmakers to articulate themselves artistically, and have their voice heard. Held annually in Chicago, CineYouth is a three-day festival celebrating and fostering the creativity of filmmakers 22 years old and younger by screening officially selected work and encouraging their creative endeavors by presenting a filmmaking workshop, discussions and panels.

Explore the CineYouth program

2020-21 Education Program Donor

Cynthia Stone Raskin

Cinema/Chicago’s Education Program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency.

Donate