Bring powerful stories into your classroom with Utah Film Center’s free educational film library. Explore a curated collection of short films and documentaries that help students build media literacy, strengthen critical thinking, and connect with unique stories—all while supporting your classroom curriculum.
Whether you’re looking for a 10-minute discussion starter or a film to anchor an entire unit, you’ll find engaging resources that help students think critically, ask meaningful questions, and make lasting connections.
Explore our free film library and find the perfect film for your next lesson.
The films in the collection meet the following Utah State Board of Education Core Standards Strands:
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
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
In this short documentary, young black men explain the particular challenges they face growing up in America.Utah State Board of …
A Whale’s Tale
Under the sea a whale tries to help the smaller creatures who are struggling with plastic waste. On land a …
Amazing Things Happen
This is an introduction to autism that aims to raise awareness among young non-autistic audiences, to stimulate understanding and acceptance …
Beloved Community Project
Utah Film Center, in conjunction with Brolly Arts, is pleased to host the Beloved Community Film, study guide, and supporting …
Good Morning Peyton
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
An animation that tells the heartfelt story of an African American father learning to do his daughter’s hair for the …
Ian
Ian was born with cerebral palsy. All he wants is to make friends, although it seems impossible to achieve when …
In a Heartbeat
Shewin’s heart pops out of his body and runs after the boy he likes. Sherwin has to chase after his …
In the Visible
In the Visible, a short film by Director Natasha Lee and Producer Lucia Tran, dismantles Asian American stereotypes and the …
Ingrid Silva/The Journey
This film follows the life journey of Ingrid Silva from the slums of Rio to the professional Ballet stage of …
Iron Hands
Iron Hands (Tie Shou) tells the story of a determined 12-year-old girl who finds an unexpected ally in her bid …
JessZilla
JessZilla is about a ten-year-old with a fire in her heart for boxing and a dedicated father caught between supporting …
Kapaemahu
Long ago, four extraordinary beings of dual male and female spirit brought the healing arts from Tahiti to Hawaii and …
Let’s Eat
Let’s Eat follows the story of an immigrant mother and her daughter as they navigate through the beauty and challenges …
Lost & Found
A knitted toy dinosaur must completely unravel itself to save the love of its life.Utah State Board of Education Core …
One Small Step
TAIKO Studios presents the story of Luna is a vibrant young Chinese American girl who dreams of becoming an astronaut. …
Rebooted
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
A solitary fox finds itself improvising fatherhood for a freshly hatched baby bird.Utah State Board of Education Core Standards Strands:Visual …
The Present
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
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
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
An analysis of the growing problem of food insecurity in America.
FED UP
Making the case that the obesity epidemic in America’s children isn’t due to lack of exercise, but to excessive sugar …
MATT SHEPARD IS A FRIEND OF MINE
Explores the life and tragic death of Matthew Shepard, the gay student murdered in Laramie, WY.
UNBRANDED
Follow four young men as they attempt to prove the value of mustang horses by riding them from Mexico to …
