Pair these 10 Powerful Films for Community Events with our free Film Discussion Guides to For Successful Screenings and Rousing Conversations
We recommend these ten powerful films to screen at community events, after school settings, and library groups. These award-winning documentaries and feature films speak to contemporary issues while they educate and uplift. We offer free discussion guides designed for community viewings for these films to facilitate rousing conversations that leave your participants inspired.
Thinking of starting a film club of your own? Check out this community learning article by our National Advisory Council member Piper Hendricks: Why Book Club When You Can Doc Club?
Crip Camp
shares with insight, humor, and joy the experiences of a group of disabled teenagers and their journey to adulthood and activism, and delves into the rich and powerful history of disability activism and culture. The Discussion Guide deepens the knowledge and understanding of disability and of disabled people offered in the film. Get the free Crip Camp Discussion Guide.
Gabby Gifford Won’t Back Down
Gabby Giffords Won’t Back Down tells the extraordinary story of former Arizona Congresswoman Gabby Giffords: her relentless fight to recover following an assassination attempt, and her new life as one of the most effective activists in the battle against gun violence. We offer a Discussion Guide and a flexible Learning Guide for this film, which can both be useful for community film screenings. The guides explore brain injury, resilience and recovery as well as gun violence causes and solutions. Both guides are available in English and Spanish. Get free Gabby Gifford Won’t Back Down Guides.
He Named Me Malala
He Named Me Malala chronicles the events leading up to the Taliban’s attack on Pakistani schoolgirl Malala Yousafzai for speaking out on girls’ education, followed by the aftermath, including her speech to the United Nations. Her survival and recovery have been little short of miraculous. Our discussion guide emphasizes the importance of education for all and explores opportunities for action. Get the free He Named Me Malala Discussion Guide.
Hidden Figures
Hidden Figures highlights the determination of Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson, the three Black women known as “human computers” in the NASA space program of the 1960s. Our Hidden Figures Discussion Guide explores the Jim Crow south and the Civil Rights Movement, the Cold War and the Space Race, and the role of women in historical and contemporary STEM leadership. Get the free Hidden Figures Discussion Guide.
Jane
Jane explores the life and work of the renowned primatology scientist Dr. Jane Goodall, especially on her research about chimpanzees. By patiently integrating herself into the chimpanzee community she was studying, Jane pioneered a methodology of observation and allowed a new understanding of what it means to be human and proved that women could be successful as scientists in a world previously dominated by men. Get the free Jane Discussion Guide.
Navalny
Enthralling and intimate, NAVALNY unfolds with the pace of a thriller as it follows Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny in his quest to identify the men who poisoned him in August 2020. Shot in Germany as the story unfolded and offering extraordinary access to the investigation, NAVALNY is a fly-on-the-wall documentary that is also a study of Navalny the man. The Oscar-winning documentary speaks to a world transformed by Russia, its war in Ukraine, and the growing and treacherous threat of authoritarianism around the world. Get the free Navalny Discussion Guide.
Queen of Katwe
Queen of Katwe is based on the inspiring true story of Phiona Mutesi, a young girl selling corn on the streets of rural Uganda whose world rapidly changes when she is introduced to the game of chess. As a result of the support she receives from her family and community, she is instilled with the confidence and determination she needs to pursue her dream of becoming an international chess champion. Get the free Queen of Katwe Discussion Guide.
The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind
The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind is based on the incredible true story of a thirteen-year-old boy in Malawi who finds an unconventional way to save his family and village from famine. Our free Discussion Guide explores desertification and points at opportunities for action. Get the free The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind Discussion Guide.
UNZIPPED: An Autopsy of American Inequality
UNZIPPED: An Autopsy of American Inequality explores gentrification, homelessness, poverty, and the affordable housing crisis. This intimate feature documentary explodes stereotypes and humanizes the lived experiences of people caught in the cross-fire of America’s growing housing divide. Our UNZIPPED Learning Guide includes pre-viewing questions and points at housing crisis solutions and avenues for action. Get the free UNZIPPED Learning Guide.
Youth v Gov
YOUTH v GOV tells the story of America’s youth taking on the world’s most powerful government. Armed with a wealth of evidence, twenty-one courageous leaders file a ground-breaking lawsuit against the U.S. government, asserting it has willfully acted over six decades to create the climate crisis, thus endangering their constitutional rights to life, liberty, and property. If these young people are successful, they will not only make history, they will change the future. Get the free Youth v Gov Discussion Guide.
BONUS: Discussion Facilitation Guidelines
This short guide suggestions for leading productive group conversations that broaden perspectives and encourage empathy. Get free Facilitation Guidelines.
UPDATE: New Additions
We added award-winning documentary Greener Pastures to our library in 2024. Following four Midwest family farms over several years, Greener Pastures is a story of perseverance within the farming industry in the heartland. Start with family farming, then add in climate change, a worldwide pandemic, and the increasing economic uncertainty brought on by megafarms: being an independent farmer in America is a profession of survival. This is also a superb film choice for public screenings. Get the free Greener Pastures Discussion Guide.
In Memoriam: Alexei Navalny
Alexei Navalny was the subject of the 2022 Oscar-winning documentary NAVALNY, part of the Journeys in Film collection.
We are deeply saddened to learn that Russian anti-corruption campaigner and outspoken Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny is dead. Navalny died as a political prisoner in a Siberian penal colony on February 16, 2024.
Journeys in Film had the privilege of creating teaching resources for Oscar-winning documentary NAVALNY which chronicles Alexei Navalny’s life. NAVALNY speaks to a world transformed by Russia, its war in Ukraine, and the growing and treacherous threat of authoritarianism around the world.
Our Navalny Learning Guide and our Navalny Discussion Guide, like all of our education resources, are available to the public for free. Educators and community groups may find these materials helpful to accompany viewings of the film as you discuss current events.
As Putin’s brand of authoritarianism wreaks havoc on the world, the urgency of the message of NAVALNY is more critical than ever. For this is not just the story of Alexei Navalny and Russia, but a rallying cry to remind the world of the importance of free speech and a free press to counter dictatorship and uphold democracy. “Evil is only able to proliferate if good people do nothing, so don’t be inactive,” Navalny warns at the end of the film.
Our hearts go out to the Navalny family and their loved ones.
Our Newest Film Guides
As a new year begins, we’re excited to share our newest film guides with you!
Our Latest Teaching Resources for Acclaimed Contemporary Films
To start a new year, we’re recapping our ten newest film guides. These acclaimed documentaries and hit feature films shed new light on history, current events, and the important figures and issues of our time. Our free teaching resources can help you put the rapidly-shifting news landscape into context for your students and lead productive discussions on sensitive and sometimes difficult topics.
Chevalier (For Grades 11-12)
Inspired by the incredible true story of France’s first Black classical composer Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges. Our Chevalier Discussion Guide sheds new light on the realities of 18th century France and can ignite student interest and engagement in learning more about the French Revolution.
Crip Camp (For High School)
Crip Camp shares with insight, humor, and joy the experiences of a group of disabled teenagers and their journey to adulthood and activism. Our Crip Camp Curriculum Guide and Discussion Guide delve into this rich and powerful story of disability activism, culture, and history.
Gabby Giffords Won’t Back Down (For Grades 8-12)
This compelling documentary tells the extraordinary story of former Arizona Congresswoman Gabby Giffords: her relentless fight to recover following an assassination attempt in 2011. We’ve created a “Gabby Giffords Discussion Guide and a Learning Guide.” También están disponibles en español.
Navalny (For High School)
Navalny unfolds with the pace of a political thriller. This Oscar-winning documentary follows Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny in his quest to identify the men who poisoned him in a failed assassination attempt. We offer a Discussion Guide and a flexible Learning Guide that features six key learning sections which cover 9 subjects across the curriculum.
Rebel Hearts (For High School)
This heart-grabbing documentary chronicles the bold acts of faith, defiance and activism of the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart that turned the Church upside-down. From marching in Selma in 1965 to the Women’s March in 2018, they challenged the notion of what a nun and a woman were supposed to be. Our Rebel Hearts Curriculum Guide includes a hands-on arts lesson based on the pop art of Sister Mary Corita.
Schindler’s List Special 30th Anniversary Guide (For High School)
In 2023, we launched a new improved Schindler’s List Curriculum Guide with a brand new antisemitism lesson to teach with this powerful & inspiring Academy Award-winner.
Summer of Soul (For Grades 7-12)
Summer of Soul is a powerful and transporting documentary—part music film, part historical record—about the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival, an epic event that celebrated Black history, culture and fashion. Our Summer of Soul Curriculum Guide provides an engaging introduction to major events in Black history—with an award-winning soundtrack.
Unzipped: An Autopsy of American Inequality (For High School)
This intimate documentary explores the frontline of America’s heated battles over gentrification, lack of affordable housing, and homelessness. UNZIPPED explodes stereotypes and humanizes the lived experiences of people caught in the cross-fire of America’s growing housing divide. Our Unzipped Learning Guide also explores actionable solutions.
Youth v Gov (For Grades 7-12)
This compelling climate court case documentary follows 21 courageous youth activists who file a ground-breaking lawsuit against the U.S. government for their right to a safe climate. Our Youth v Gov Curriculum Guide and Discussion Guide provide context to discuss breaking climate litigation news. Redirect your students’ climate anxiety into action-oriented optimism with these powerful teaching tools.
Navalny: Another Oscar Winner Comes to Journeys in Film
Navalny for the Win
We are pleased to announce that we are creating a Discussion Guide and adaptable Learning Guide for the powerful political thriller and multi-award winning documentary Navalny. This documentary follows follows Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny in his quest to identify the men who poisoned him in August 2020.
At Journeys in Film, we are committed to educating the next generation to be globally competent and socially active by harnessing the power of film. We create free curriculum guides and discussion guides for films. Last year, we released a 6 Lesson Plans for Summer of Soul.Summer of Soul was the 2022 Oscar winner for Best Documentary Feature Film. Now, another Oscar winner is coming to Journeys in Film.
We are proud that we’re representing the Best Documentary Feature in back-to-back years with Summer of Soul and Navalny and see the value of both films for educational purposes.
Oscar Winners and Nominees in Our Library
Navalny is just the latest in the robust Journeys in Film library of films with Oscar recognition.
The Post received two nominations: Best Actress (Meryl Streep) and Best Picture in 2018. Our8-lesson curriculum guide for The Post features a lesson on fake news.
Our Hidden Figures curriculum guide is our most downloaded guide. Hidden Figures received three nominations in 2017. They were Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Supporting Actress (Octavia Spencer).
Bridge of Spies received six nominations. They were Best Supporting Actor (Mark Rylance), Best Picture, Best Original Screenplay, Best Original Score, Best Production Design and Best Sound Mixing.Our Bridge of Spies discussion guide focuses on the Cold War and implications for today.
The beautiful film Whale Rider garnered Keisha Castle Hughes a Best Actress nomination (2004). Our10-lesson curriculum guide for Whale Rider offers resources on exploring Maori culture as well as math, science, media literacy and more.
Children of Heaven received a Best Foreign Language Film nomination in 1999. It is a relatable, touching film about siblings in Iran. OurChildren of Heaven guide features10 lessons and offers opportunities to teach about Iran as well as the science of earthquakes and more.
Big Winner: Schindler’s List
Finally, Schindler’s List, one of the first films we created resources for, dominated the Oscars in 1994. The film received 7 wins and a total of 11 nominations. Wins include: Best Picture, Best Director (Steven Spielberg), Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Art Direction (Set), Best Film Editing, Best Music (Original Score). Nominations include: Best Actor (Liam Neeson), Best Supporting Actor (Ralph Fiennes), Best Costume Design, Best Sound, Best Makeup. Our Schindler’s List curriculum guide features 8 lessons. Our updated antisemitism lesson is now available! Get it now in our special edition Schindler’s List 30th anniversary guide or as a standalone lesson. It pairs well with our Navalny Learning Guide section on propaganda.
Sign-up for our newsletter to receive notice of our release of free resources for Navalny and these other two powerful documentary films as well as our updated lesson on Antisemitism.
We are so proud of Navalny. We hope you will join us in bringing this important film to your classroom. Together, let’s bring the power of film to students. It can inspire, engage and educate!
???? UpdateOur Navalny guides are now available in our library. Get yours now.
