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Free Films for Teachers

Utah Film Center believes good films have the power to change the world. These curated shorts and documentaries unlock new worlds, foster empathy, and expand students’ social-emotional learning skills. Our library of films and short films are available to stream in the classroom for FREE, along with study guides to enhance student learning, exploration, communication, and creativity.

The films in the collection meet the following Utah State Board of Education Core Standards Strands:

  • Elementary & Secondary Fine Arts (Visual Arts & Media Arts)
  • Secondary Library Media
  • Elementary & Secondary Language Arts
  • Elementary & Secondary Science
  • Elementary & Secondary Social Studies

 

Learn More about Utah Core Standards at the Utah State Board of Education Website

How to View a Film & Receive Lesson Plans for Your Classroom

Review the library of films, documentaries, and short films in our collection.

Select the film you want to screen in your classroom. The film is either available for streaming on this website or via Tubi.

Fill out the Film Spark form to receive a study guide for the movie.

Short Films

A Beach of Our Own

Recommended for grades: 6-12

Sag Harbor on Long Island in New York is a beachfront haven for Black/African American families. African Americans in the …

A Conversation About Growing Up Black

Recommended for grades: 4-12

In this short documentary, young black men explain the particular challenges they face growing up in America.

A Whale’s Tale

Recommended for grades: K-6

Under the sea a whale tries to help the smaller creatures who are struggling with plastic waste. On land a …

Amazing Things Happen

Recommended for grades: 2-6

This is an introduction to autism that aims to raise awareness among young non-autistic audiences, to stimulate understanding and acceptance …

Beloved Community Project

Recommended for grades: 2-12

Utah Film Center, in conjunction with Brolly Arts, is pleased to host the Beloved Community Film, study guide, and supporting …

Good Morning Peyton

Recommended for grades: 4-12

This short documentary is the story of Peyton, an 11-year-old boy with an extremely rare and life-threatening disease called Xeroderma …

Hair Love

Recommended for grades: K-6

An animation that tells the heartfelt story of an African American father learning to do his daughter’s hair for the …

Ian

Recommended for grades: K-6

Ian was born with cerebral palsy. All he wants is to make friends, although it seems impossible to achieve when …

In a Heartbeat

Recommended for grades: 3-12

Shewin’s heart pops out of his body and runs after the boy he likes. Sherwin has to chase after his …

In the Visible

Recommended for grades: 7-12

In the Visible, a short film by Director Natasha Lee and Producer Lucia Tran, dismantles Asian American stereotypes and the …

INGRID SILVA//THE JOURNEY

Recommended for grades: 6-12

This film follows the life journey of Ingrid Silva from the slums of Rio to the professional Ballet stage of …

Iron Hands

Recommended for grades: 3-12

Iron Hands (Tie Shou) tells the story of a determined 12-year-old girl who finds an unexpected ally in her bid …

JessZilla

Recommended for grades: 4-12

JessZilla is about a ten-year-old with a fire in her heart for boxing and a dedicated father caught between supporting …

Kapaemahu

Recommended for grades: 3-12

Long ago, four extraordinary beings of dual male and female spirit brought the healing arts from Tahiti to Hawaii and …

Let’s Eat

Recommended for grades: 1-12

Let’s Eat follows the story of an immigrant mother and her daughter as they navigate through the beauty and challenges …

Lost & Found

Recommended for grades: 1-12

A knitted toy dinosaur must completely unravel itself to save the love of its life.

One Small Step

Recommended for grades: K-12

TAIKO Studios presents the story of Luna is a vibrant young Chinese American girl who dreams of becoming an astronaut. …

Rebooted

Recommended for grades: 6-12

A stop motion animated skeleton is having trouble finding work in modern Hollywood and competing with all of the new …

The Fox and the Bird

Recommended for grades: K-6

A solitary fox finds itself improvising fatherhood for a freshly hatched baby bird.

The Present

Recommended for grades: 1-6

The story of a boy who would rather spend his time indoors playing video games instead of discovering what’s waiting …

Two Strangers Who Meet Five Times

Recommended for grades: 9-12

Alistair and Samir meet five different times, but it is only when they meet as old men that they can …

Documentaries

A BRAVE HEART: THE LIZZIE VELASQUEZ STORY

Recommended for grades: 7-12

The story of a young woman who used her experience with being cyberbullied to start a worldwide anti-bullying crusade.

A PLACE AT THE TABLE

Recommended for grades: 6-12

An analysis of the growing problem of food insecurity in America.

UNBRANDED

Recommended for grades: 7+

Follow four young men as they attempt to prove the value of mustang horses by riding them from Mexico to …

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R Harold Burton Fourndation
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S.J. & Jessie E. Quinney Foundation
Utah Film Center Media Education programs are supported by POPS

About POPS
POPS (Professional Outreach Programs in the Schools) is an educational outreach program in the fine arts that provides a mechanism for Utah’s professional art organizations to assist in teaching the Utah’s fine art core curriculum in the public schools. Professional organizations match state revenues to support and enhance the delivery of art education through demonstrations, performances, presentations, and educational activities in the schools. The program ensures that each of the 41 school districts have the opportunity to receive services in a balanced and comprehensive manner over three years.

Utah Film Center POPS 2019-20 Final Annual Report

For more information contact Utah Film Center’s Media Education team at edu@utahfilmcenter.org