Celebrate stories of resistance, protest and activism with film. These award-winning documentaries about heroes, changemakers and everyday people who take a stand can inspire your students to get involved in civic participation and community service.
These real-life stories from around the world about people coming together to make a difference are also powerful tools for building community. These are empowering films for public screenings and community education.
Our free resources for these films are for grades 7-12 and higher education / adult education. The film guides include discussion questions that can stimulate engaging conversations in the classroom and public screenings.
Stories of Resistance: And So It Begins
This award-winning documentary is set amidst the Filipino elections of 2022. It follows Leni Robredo’s 2022 presidential campaign and the quirky people’s movement that rises to defend the Philippines against deepening threats to truth and democracy in a collective act of joy as a form of resistance.
The And So It Begins Learning Guide includes a powerful exploration of political corruption and civic engagement. For grades 8 and up. Available in English and Spanish.
Learn more about teaching with And So It Begins and get the And So It Begins Learning Guide.
Stories of Resistance: Crip Camp
Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution shares with insight, humor, and joy the experiences of a group of disabled teenagers at a summer camp for kids with disabilities and their journey to adulthood and activism that shaped disability rights.
The film includes footage of historic protests for disability rights that are important viewing for anyone who cares about effective activism!
We offer a Crip Camp Curriculum Guide that includes a lesson on The Strategic Use of Power, for grades 11 and up. We also offer a Crip Camp Discussion Guide for ages 15 and up that’s great for classroom use, community education and public screenings.
Learn more about teaching with Crip Camp and get these free Crip Camp film guides.
Stories of Resistance: Rebel Hearts
Rebel Hearts tells the remarkable story of the the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. From marching in Selma in 1965 to the Women’s March in 2018, they put their bodies and their vocation on the line to fight for social justice. Their bold acts of faith, defiance and activism turned the Church upside-down, helping to reshape our society in ways that continue to resonate today.
The Rebel Hearts Curriculum Guide includes a hands-on visual arts lesson on the powerful protest art of Corita Kent (aka Sister Mary Corita). The lesson invites students to express themselves through their own art projects. For grades 7 and up.
Learn more about teaching with Rebel Hearts and get these free Rebel Hearts lesson plans.
Stories of Resistance: Resisterhood
Resisterhood is a film about the power of women, hope and resistance in modern American politics. It follows six Americans from different walks of life as they fight for social justice on the streets and in the halls of power after the 2016 elections: a Muslim immigrant, an octogenarian Black civil rights marcher, the great-granddaughter of a Suffragist, a Puerto Rican power couple, and an LGBTQ activist. The stories of the six activists are great for building community and belonging. This film is uplifting, heartwarming and empowering.
The Resisterhood Learning Guide explores the stories of each activist and they different ways that they embody civic participation and working for change. It’s a powerful tool to start important conversations around voting, activism, and political engagement. For grades 10 and up.
Learn more about teaching with Resisterhood and get this free Learning Guide.
Stories of Resistance: Summer of Soul
Summer of Soul (…Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised) is a celebration of Black Joy, Black Excellence, and Black Activism. The Oscar-winning documentary about the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival, directed by Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson examines the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival, and its line-up of iconic Black musicians and activists of the 1960s.
Our Summer of Soul Curriculum Guide introduces students to the music and musicians of the film, and explores the historical context of the festival. It also dives into how African Americans pursued social, political and economic equality. For grades 7 and up.
Learn more about teaching with Summer of Soul and get these free Summer of Soul lesson plans.
Stories of Resistance: The Crisis Scientists
The Crisis Scientists presents a present-day portrait of courageous climate activists working to galvanize policy makers and the public to save the planet. They are inspiring examples of how we all can take action within our spheres of influence to make a difference.
At seven minutes long, it’s a great teaching tool as a classroom warm-up or a prompt for reflective writing or group discussions.
The Mini Discussion Guide for The Crisis Scientists is available in two versions: for high school (grades 9-12) and for higher education / adult education. Each guide is available as a PDF and also as a Google Slideshow.
Learn more about teaching with The Crisis Scientists and get these free Discussion Guides.
Related Resources
Teaching about Civic Engagement? Get more classroom-ready resources in our Civics and Civic Engagement Collection.
Channel your students’ enthusiasm into Community Service. Learn more about our Service Learning Lesson Plans plans for specific social impact issues like affordable housing, the environment, gender equity and more: Get Students Excited about Service Learning with Film.
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