Short Films to Spark Engagement
When dealing with struggles of engaging our participants in this Brave New World of Virtual Learning, it might be useful to tap into visual literacy skills by drawing upon award-nominated/winning shorts. Short and compelling videos can be used to spark in-person or online conversations, and any one of them could be applied to a variety of themes and activities. Below is a list of videos you might consider using with your students.
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Scrambled (7 min)
Esra misses her train late one evening, but a discarded living Ribik's cube tries to get her attention away from her video game and occupy her time. |
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The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore (15 min)
Everything in Morris Lessmore’s life, including his own story, is scattered to the winds. But the power of story will save the day. |
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Dark, Dark Woods (6 min)
Young princess Maria has had about enough of her royal life – it’s all lesson, responsibilities and duties on top of each other, every hour of every day. Overwhelmed, Maria is swept away on an adventure into the monster-filled dark, dark woods. |
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Pinata King (3 min, live-action, documentary)
On the outskirts of Mexico City, over 50 years ago, a family began making and selling piñatas to the local community. Nowadays, the whole town is involved. The Piñata King takes a look inside the life of this town, and the head of the family who started it all. |
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Henriyeti: Sock it to me, Yeti! (2 min)
Meet Henriyeti! She may look like any girl walking down the street, but in some ways she's different! She's big and strong and beautiful. Every day she loves the ways she's different. |
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Mr. Night Has a Day Off (2 min)
Why is the night changing the day? Well, when you don’t like something, you change it. |
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Sherbert Rozencrantz, You're Beautiful (11 min, live action)
It’s 1987 and 10 year old Milly’s world revolves around her pet guinea pig Sherbert. When her mother attempts to engineer for her a ‘real’ friend, it results in ridicule and forces Milly to question her sense of self. |
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Outdoors (7min)
A child lets her elderly neighbor's bird escape by accident, so she roller skates around the city chasing clues to hunt down the missing bird. |
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Radiance (3 min)
A young boy who likes to paint must finish his creation before his best friend sees it. |
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I Want to Live in the Zoo (6 min)
Bored at home, Sasha decides that she would much rather live in the zoo. As she searches for her place with the monkeys, penguins, and elephants, she discovers that home, with her parents, may be the best fit. |
Fired Up! (4 min)
Fourteen artists from around the world animate a depiction of President Obama's famous 2007 speech at Greenwood, SC. https://vimeo.com/199940193