Short Films For Students

Snack Attack (2012)

Producer: Andrew Cadelago Language: None Topics: stereotypes, generational differences, and manners Synopsis: If you’re a fan of plot twists, you’ll really enjoy Snack Attack. An elderly woman is waiting on a bench at the train station when, out of the blue, the young boy beside her begins munching on her cookies. As a viewer, it’s easy to jump to the conclusion that the boy is incredibly impolite and disrespectful towards the elderly, but the story takes an unexpected turn… Lesson concept: This short film serves as an excellent tool to illustrate the hazards of stereotypes and premature judgment of others. You could begin the lesson by showing images of an elderly woman and a young boy with a punk style, then ask your students to share their initial impressions of these pictures. Note their responses on the blackboard prior to viewing the film, Snack Attack. During the film, it’s beneficial to pause a few times to ask your students to predict what they think will happen, similar to the digital exercise provided below.

Jamais sans mon dentier (2017)

Producers: Students of the 3D Art Animation, Bellecour École Language: None Topics: Collaboration, Senior Citizens, Defiance Synopsis: Four residents of a retirement home are eager to watch their favorite series, “Never Without My Denture,” but face a setback when the remote control is taken from them. Determined, they band together to reclaim their remote. Lesson concept: This entertaining short film serves as a great starting point to encourage students to reflect on their own futures and envision themselves in old age. As such, it is an excellent addition to life skills lessons. Furthermore, the film can act as a prelude to group activities, highlighting the significance of goal-setting, teamwork, and the potential for setbacks.

Zapatos de Louis (2020) / Cuerdas (2013)

Produser: Théo Jamin, Jean-Géraud Blanc, Kayu Leung, Marion Philippe / Pedro Solís García Language: French (with English subtitles) / Spanish (with subtitles in various languages) Topics: education, inclusive practices, neurodiversity, physical and cognitive disabilities Synopsis: These two short films illustrate the challenges faced by students who don’t quite fit in at school. In “Louis’ Shoes,” a boy named Louis is tasked with introducing himself to his classmates at his new school. Through this process, he offers the audience a glimpse into his life, highlighting the extra hurdles faced by students with autism. “Cuerdas” tells the story of a student with a disability who starts at a new school. While most of his classmates see him as different or unusual, there is one girl who sees him differently and includes him wholeheartedly in all their activities. Lesson concept: In our community, there is a common expectation for students to reach identical objectives. However, each individual is unique, making this expectation sometimes unrealistic. Thus, fostering discussions on inclusivity is crucial to help students appreciate the perspectives and behaviors of their peers and others.

“Coin Operated” (2017), “Alike” (2016), and “Happiness” (2017).

Produser: Nicholas Arioli & Jennifer Dahlman / Daniel Martínez Lara & Rafa Cano Méndez / Steve Cutts Language: None Topics: childhood aspirations, life ambitions, financial matters, economic systems, and the competition of daily life. Synopsis: “Coin Operated” explores themes of childhood dreams and the fleeting nature of life in an accessible way. The story begins with a young boy who aspires to journey into space. He faces initial disappointment when a rocket kiddie ride fails to fulfill his dream. Determined, he starts a lemonade stand to save up enough money for a future space adventure. Will his dream come true? Watch the short film to discover the outcome. The primary theme of “Alike” centers on an alternative childhood dream, depicting the lives of a father and son trapped in monotony. Nonetheless, the child’s love for music will ultimately disrupt their routine. In “Happiness,” viewers are presented with a much bleaker perspective on the pursuit of joy and contentment. This captivating animated short depicts the relentless rat race we all participate in, striking a chord with everyone who watches it. Lesson concept: You can find a lot of intriguing YouTube comments about the short films “Coin Operated,” “Happiness,” and “Alike.” It would be beneficial to have your students read and discuss some of these comments before having them write their own. Alternatively, you could ask students to compare and contrast these three short films, as they explore similar themes but in varying ways.

Brothers (2011)

Produser: Adil El Arbi & Bilall Fallah Language: Arabic & Dutch (with English subtitles) Topics: Religion, Morality, Drugs, Violence The topics addressed in this text include religion, morality, drugs, and violence. Synopsis: Brothers is a contemporary tale that revolves around two young men from Brussels. Karim is dedicated and serves as a positive example in the community, whereas Nassim takes a troublesome route. Yet, life often has unexpected twists. Lesson concept: Due to the presence of drug and violence-related scenes in this short film, it’s advisable to show it to older students only. The film concludes with an open-ended question on the nature of good and bad, making it a perfect prompt for classroom discussion.

Flatlife (2004)

Producer: Jonas Geirnaert Language: None Topics: urban cohabitation, neighbors, daily routine Urban living brings people into close proximity with one another, making relationships with neighbors a daily part of life. Navigating these connections becomes a routine aspect of city life. Synopsis: An old Dutch saying goes, “A good neighbor is better than a distant friend.” The film “Flatlife” depicts the lives of four neighbors residing in the same high-rise building. Through a split-screen perspective, viewers can watch the interactions of these four individuals in parallel, even though they appear to be unaware of the impact they have on each other’s lives. Lesson concept: This short film is perfect for teaching a foreign language, especially when your students are focusing on topics such as parts of the house, living environments, and daily habits. The split-screen format is ideal for group activities; divide the class into four groups and assign each group to focus on one of the four characters, so they can present their findings to their peers.

Mind Games (2018)

Producer: Jiaqi Emily Yan Language: None Topics: education, exams, leisure time, and the purpose of life. Synopsis: In the story “Mind Games,” a boy is in the middle of an exam when his brain decides to take a break and go play outside. Despite this, the boy manages to answer the questions as his brain has prepared him well by filling his mind with knowledge. He tackles each question successfully until he encounters the final one, which he cannot answer without his brain’s help: “What is the meaning of life?” Lesson concept: Mind Games can serve as a useful tool to encourage students to reflect on their exam preparation methods. Additionally, it can be used as a lesson starter to spark discussions on the role of schools, perhaps introducing the spoken word film “What is School For?” mentioned in a previous blog post. For additional resources and tools, you can visit calculatorprofessional.com to explore various educational aids that can complement your teaching methods. The most innovative application of “Mind Games,” however, would be to present students with the final exam question and allow them the freedom to respond either through writing or drawing.

Are you living a life of pretense on Instagram? (2017) / A social existence (2016) / The proportion of your life (2018)

Producer: Ditch the Label, Kerith Lemon, and Pascu Dragos. Language: English Topics: Social media Synopsis: These three distinct short films explore the influence of social media on the lives of young individuals. They reveal how young people share stunning or striking images with their peers, but often, many of these images are fabricated. These short films serve as excellent tools for encouraging students to think about how social media affects their everyday lives. Lesson concept: Given that the three short films explore the same subject and share many similarities, it could be engaging for your students to analyze and compare them. Additionally, these films can serve as an excellent starting point for group discussions on a topic relevant to everyone. To wrap up the topic creatively, you could ask the students to create their own “Instagram versus reality” picture or video.

The Present (2014)

Producer: Jacob Frey Language: English (subtitles available in various other languages) Topics: Video games, living with a disability, pets Synopsis: A boy is engrossed in a video game when his mother surprises him with a gift—a puppy! However, the puppy has only three legs, which initially causes the boy to lose interest. The undeterred puppy begins to play alone, and its exuberance soon captivates the boy. He eventually decides to take the puppy outside, revealing that he also has a missing leg. Lesson concept: The central theme of the story revolves around living with a disability, but “The Present” can also serve as a starting point for discussing topics such as video games, pets, and leisure activities. Additionally, you might encourage your students to examine the emotions of the various characters, including the mother, the boy, and the dog.

Versus (2006)

Producteurs : François Caffiaux, Romain Noël, Thomas Salas Language: None Topics: war, sports Synopsis: In the animated short film Versus, two samurai clans—one red and one blue—vie for control of an island situated between their territories. They employ imaginative war strategies, drawing inspiration from various sports to outsmart their opponent. To discover which clan ultimately prevails, you’ll need to watch the short film all the way through, including the surprise twist after the closing credits. Lesson concept: “Versus” serves as an excellent method to introduce sports-related vocabulary in language lessons. Additionally, it can be utilized to discuss the futility of war.

The Photographer (2021)

Producer: Eric Crain Language: English Topics: Photography, hobbies Synopsis: In “The Photographer,” a man shares his deep passion for photography and what it signifies to him. Lesson concept: This ready-to-use lesson activity for English learners involves students selecting a personal photograph and describing the memories it brings to mind. Alternatively, students can create their own text or video inspired by this short film where they talk about their own hobby or passion.

Le Grand Jeu (2008) / J’attendrai le suivant (2002)

Producer: Yannick Pecherand / Philippe Orreindy Language: French Topics: Affection, Mass transit Synopsis: Often hailed as the language of love, French sets the stage for these two short films featuring deeply romantic love stories. However, don’t anticipate fairy tale endings; they might leave you wanting. On the bright side, if you appreciate dark humor, these films are right up your alley. Lesson concept: Both short films are excellent for French teachers who aim to improve students’ listening comprehension skills. Additionally, these films can be used to practice various future tenses by pausing the video at several points and asking students to predict what will happen next.