Teach about world religions with film to bring religious literacy to life in your classroom! We’re pleased to offer teaching resources for award-winning films from all over the world to help you teach global education and cross-cultural understanding, while deepening knowledge about religions of the world.
Follow the links below to get more information about these films and our free teaching materials from the Journeys in Film Resource Library!
Teach about World Religions with Film: Overview
The Story of God with Morgan Freeman, World Religions – For grades 9-12, higher ed, adult ed
In this docuseries, Morgan Freeman visits sacred sites and religious leaders all over the world. The Discussion Guide explores core religious concepts from major world religions.
▶ Learn more about The Story of God Discussion Guide.
Teach about World Religions with Film: Buddhism
The Cup, Tibetan Buddhism – For grades 6-8
Includes an introduction to Buddhism.
▶ Learn more about The Cup Curriculum Guide.
The Dhamma Brothers, Buddhist Vipassanā Meditation – For grades 9 -12
Includes an introduction to Buddhism and experiential meditation lessons.
▶ Learn more about The Dhamma Brothers Curriculum Guide.
Teach about World Religions with Film: Christianity
Francesco, Catholicism – For grades 9-12
Introduces learners to Pope Francis and issues within the contemporary Catholic Church.
▶ Learn more about the Francesco Curriculum Guide.
Rebel Hearts, Catholicism – For grades 7-12, higher ed, adult ed
Introduces the sisters of The Immaculate Heart of Mary, and explores their tumultuous history within the Catholic Church as well as their active commitment to social justice, along with the protest art of Sister Mary Corita aka Corita Kent.
▶ Learn more about the Rebel Hearts Curriculum Guide.
Teach about World Religions with Film: Hinduism
Like Stars on Earth – For grades 4-10
Includes a lesson on Diwali, the Hindu Festival of Lights, celebrated according to the Hindu lunisolar calendar (between around mid-October and mid-November).
▶ Learn more about the Like Stars on Earth Curriculum Guide.
Teach about World Religions with Film: Islam
Children of Heaven – For grades 6-9
Includes a lesson about the Islamic Republic of Iran.
▶ Learn more about the Children of Heaven Curriculum Guide.
He Named Me Malala – For grades 7-12, adult ed, higher ed
Introduces students to the life, values and advocacy work of Nobel Prize-winner Malala Yousafzai.
▶ Learn more about the He Named Me Malala Teaching Materials (Curriculum Guide and Discussion Guide).
Resisterhood – For grades 10-12, adult ed, higher ed
One of the six figures profiled in the film is Muslim-American Mimi Hassanein, a first-generation immigrant from Egypt and first-time political candidate.
▶ Learn more about the Resisterhood Discussion Guide.
The Neighborhood Storyteller – For grades 5-12, adult ed, higher ed
Introduces a young Syrian mother in a refugee camp in Jordan who embarks on a read-aloud project to raise a new generation of successful young women.
This guide also features literary connections to connections to Muzoon: A Syrian Refugee Speaks Out for grades 5-12 by Muzoon Almellehan with Wendy Pearlman.
▶ Learn more about The Neighborhood Storyteller Discussion Guide.
Wadjda – For grades 6-12
Includes a lesson about the Quran (for grades 9-12).
▶ Learn more about the Wadjda Curriculum Guide.
Teach about World Religions with Film: Judaism
Holocaust Education Collection – For grades 6-12, adult education, higher ed.
A curated collection of resources for teaching about the Jewish experience of the Holocaust with film.
▶ Learn more about the Holocaust Education Collection.
Resources of note in this collection for teaching about world religions include:
- The section about preserving cultural and religious traditions in the A Promise To My Father Learning Guide.
- Steven Spielberg’s behind-the-scenes story about a Passover dinner on set during the making of Schindler’s List in the Schindler’s List Curriculum Guide.
Teach about World Religions with Film: More Religions of the World
The Way Home, Confucianism
Introduces Confucianism and Confucian values.
▶ Learn more about The Way Home Curriculum Guide.
Whale Rider, Māori Traditional Beliefs – For grades 6-10
Includes lessons on Māori culture, spiritual beliefs, and Māori tā moko (traditional tatoos).
▶ Learn more about the Whale Rider Curriculum Guide.
Related Resources
Teaching Anti-Bias Education? Get more resources to teach Anti-Bias Education with film.
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