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The Into Film Festival returns in 2025 with a programme featuring UK premieres, career insights, and interactive activities, aiming to inspire and educate young people across London and the UK through free film screenings and industry events.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
The Into Film Festival, acclaimed as the world’s largest free film festival dedicated to young audiences, is set to return in 2025, offering a rich programme for educators and pupils aged 5 to 19 across London and the UK. Scheduled from 7 to 28 November, the festival promises an array of free film screenings, special events, and educational activities that link directly to the school curriculum. This wide-ranging initiative aims to engage young people with cinema, both as an art form and a gateway to creative career opportunities.<\/p>\n
The 2025 festival opens with the UK premieres of \u201cFuture Council,\u201d a new feature by director Damon Gameau known for his impactful documentaries such as \u201c2040\u201d and \u201cThat Sugar Film.\u201d The film explores urgent ecological challenges through the eyes of eight children on a European road trip seeking solutions from influential leaders. Such thoughtful, socially conscious programming underlines the festival\u2019s commitment to presenting films that inspire and educate young minds.<\/p>\n
Careers-oriented programming forms a significant part of the festival, highlighting pathways into the screen industries. Notably, the festival includes two collaborative career insight events with BAFTA and a \u2018Representation Matters\u2019 panel discussing diversity within screen careers. The festival has already attracted substantial interest, with over 390,000 free places booked by educators and career leads. This engagement underscores the festival\u2019s role as both a cultural and educational resource, equipping young people with knowledge about industry opportunities.<\/p>\n
London\u2019s programme features pupil premieres of several high-profile films, such as the documentary \u201cPrime Minister,\u201d which will be accompanied by a Q&A session with former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, and \u201cBrides,\u201d which includes a Q&A with director Nadia Fall and lead actors Ebada Hassan and Safiyya Ingar. Gurinder Chadha\u2019s festive film \u201cChristmas Karma\u201d and the eagerly awaited \u201cZootropolis 2\u201d will also premiere for young audiences. The festival\u2019s collaborations extend beyond cinema, joining forces with institutions like The London Transport Museum, the BBFC, and Modus Arts to deliver unique film-related activities, with filmmakers including Joshua Trigg, Noel Goodwin, Pinny Grylls, and Moya O\u2019Shea contributing to special events.<\/p>\n
For younger pupils, the festival offers screenings of family favourites and visually stimulating titles such as \u201cDeep Sky\u201d (IMAX), \u201cKensuke\u2019s Kingdom,\u201d \u201cHow to Train Your Dragon,\u201d \u201cFlow,\u201d \u201cThe Wild Robot,\u201d \u201cSavages,\u201d \u201cThe Garfield Movie,\u201d and \u201cMoana 2.\u201d Secondary-aged students can look forward to films like \u201cOcean of David Attenborough,\u201d \u201cThe Phoenician Scheme,\u201d \u201cConclave,\u201d \u201cMission Impossible: The Final Reckoning,\u201d \u201cNational Theatre Live: The Importance of Being Earnest,\u201d \u201cThe Life of Chuck,\u201d a 30th Anniversary 4K re-issue of \u201cClueless,\u201d and \u201cPhilomena.\u201d This wide selection ensures the festival caters to diverse tastes and educational needs.<\/p>\n
The festival also supports literacy through its Review Writing Competition, encouraging young attendees to critique the films they watch. Winning entries receive a \u00a3200 voucher for their class, promoting both creative and analytical skills through film appreciation. This educational dimension highlights the festival\u2019s comprehensive approach to combining film viewing with academic development.<\/p>\n
The Into Film Festival is supported by Cinema First and the wider UK film industry. Alongside London venues such as Cineworld Leicester Square and The Cinema in the Power Station, other locations including community spaces and museums like Rich Mix bring the festival experience to various audiences, ensuring accessibility and a broad cultural reach. For example, Rich Mix hosts free screenings for primary students in Tower Hamlets and Hackney, reinforcing local film education initiatives.<\/p>\n
While the Into Film Festival focuses specifically on film education and youth engagement through free screenings and interactive events, it complements other national initiatives such as the BFI Future Film Festival, which provides a platform for aspiring young filmmakers in a hybrid live and online format from February to March. Together, these festivals represent an expanding landscape of support for creative development among young people across the UK.<\/p>\n
The festival represents a vital cultural event, underpinning the importance of film as both a medium for storytelling and a stimulus for young people’s creativity and career aspirations. Educators interested in participating are encouraged to book promptly, as places are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, with waiting lists available to meet demand.<\/p>\n