2025 2025 International Film Festival Information
Pack
Fully inclusive; accessible to all Cross-curricular project Develops digital skills
How does the festival work?
Through the project, young people will produce their own high-quality abridged Shakespeare films for an international showcase, developing confidence, creativity, and digital skills.
Over six months, participating schools will be supported to produce their film with a series of digital continuing professional development (CPD) workshops and resources from professional film and drama facilitators. Our Shakespeare screenplays have been abridged by acclaimed writers, and our dedicated Programme Coordinators are on hand to support teachers through each step of the process.
£659 + VAT Independent Schools: £299 + VAT State Schools:
From directors and actors, to editors, camera-operators, sound and lighting designers, hair-and-make-up artists, location scouts, composers and much more, this transformative digital process will empower teachers and students alike. It’s a perfect project for cross-departmental collaboration with English, Drama, History, Music, or IT/ Computing.
Image: A primary school class film their production of Romeo and Juliet with a camcorder.
The Film Festival Timeline
sUmMeR: PrE-pRoDUCtIoN
Get up to speed with our handy guides, including sourcing your kit, roles on a film set, and scouting for locations. Get inspired with our curated watchlists of films to show you what the camera can do. Finally, get ready to direct your actors with our toolkit of techniques straight from Shakespearean rehearsal rooms.
• CPD training: Welcome, pre-production and directing Shakespeare for film
aUtUmN 1: pRoDUCtIoN
Our guides help you run your shoot with ease, as you master the camera, adjust your lighting and record crystal-clear sound.
• CPD training: Producing your film
• CPD training: Inclusive Filmmaking (SEND-specific)
aUtUmN 2: pOsT-pRoDUCtIoN
Build editing skills with our easy step-by-step guides, and add the final touches of sound effects and music to your film.
• CPD training: Post-production
• CPD training: ‘Surgery’ session on editing
nOvEmBeR 2024: sUBMiSsIoN d
Submission date for all Shakespeare short films
dECEmBeR 2024: pReMiErE wEeK
Our website becomes an international Shakespearean cinema
FreqUently Asked QUestions
dO I nEeD EXPeNsIvE EqUiPmEnT?
Absolutely not. Many schools create beautiful and impactful films using their classroom tablets or a smartphone. Watch out for our kit list resource, where we’ll share tips so you needn’t splash out (wheely chair as a dolly, anyone?) and, if you do have a little bit of budget, help guide you on how to best spend it.
HoW wIlL mY fIlM BE sCrEeNeD?
Our 2025 Premiere Week will land in early December, when Coram Shakespeare Schools Foundation’s website will become an international Shakespearean cinema. Your school will have its own premiere day, when your film will be screened alongside schools from across the globe. Each school will also appear in our Best of the digital showcase – a celebration of your everybody’s creativity.
G ABOUT fIlMmAkInG – iS iT
Definitely! We’ve put together a comprehensive self-guided learning journey to take you from script to screen, with CPD webinars scheduled throughout the process. In addition, friendly Film Festival team are at the end of the phone email to support you every step of the way.
It has changed my life and I’m a better person because of it.”
Jacub, student, Bristol
Click here to watch the final films produced as part of our last Festival.
Website: shakespeareschools.org
Instagram | X : @cssf_uk
0207 601 1800
hello@coramshakespeareschools.org.uk
Coram Shakespeare Schools Foundation
Coram Campus, 41 Brunswick Square
London WC1N 1AZ
At the end of our last Festival, we asked teachers about the impact of our Festival on their students:
• 98% said their young people were more confident;
• 98% said their students had pride in themselves;
• 97% said their students were more able to work effectively as a team.
Register today and give your young people the chance to shine.
Transforming lives throUgh the UniqUe power of Shakespeare