Teach world geography with film to bring the cultures of the world to life in your middle school 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 fostering empathy and critical thinking skills. These resources are primarily designed for grades 6 to 8 and may be applicable or adaptable to other grades.
Follow the links below to get more information about these films and our free teaching materials from the Journeys in Film Resource Library!
Teach World Geography with Film: Regional Resources
Our Global Education Collection of award-winning films from around the world introduces middle school students to global cultures and customs.
China: Teach about China with Please Vote For Me
The Please Vote For Me Curriculum Guide (original title: 请投我一票 / Qǐng tóu wǒ yī piào) features three lessons for geography classes:
- Lesson One The Land of China (Geography, Social Studies, World History), grades 5-8
- Lesson Six Folk Art: Chinese Papercuts (Visual Arts), grades 5-10
- Lesson Seven A Glimpse of Chinese Culture (English Language Arts, Geography, Language Arts, Social Studies), grades 6-10
Get the Please Vote For Me Curriculum Guide.
India: Teach about India with Like Stars on Earth
Lesson One of the Like Stars on Earth Curriculum Guide (original title: Taare Zameen Par) introduces students to the people and land of India. For grades 5-10.
Get the Like Stars on Earth Curriculum Guide.
Iran: Teach about Iran with Children of Heaven
Lesson One of the Children of Heaven Curriculum Guide (original title: بچههای آسمان / Baččehā-ye āsmān) introduces students to the Islamic Republic of Iran. For grades 6-9.
Get the Children of Heaven Curriculum Guide.
Kenya: Teach about Kenya with Searching for Amani
The Searching for Amani Teaching Materials include our Kenya Historical Context Handout, for grades 7-12. It includes
- A map of Kenya.
- Background information on the vibrant communities of Kenya and the challenges they face amid climate change, explained in historical context.
- A timeline of the Colonization of Kenya.
Get the Kenya Historical Context Handout.
Pakistan: Teach about Pakistan with He Named Me Malala
Lesson One of the He Named Me Malala Curriculum Guide introduces students to Pakistan. For grades 9-12.
Get the He Named Me Malala Curriculum Guide.
Saudi Arabia: Teach about Saudi Arabia with Wadjda
Lesson Two of the Wadjda Curriculum Guide introduces the country of Saudi Arabia. For grades 9-11.
Get the Wadjda Curriculum Guide .
South Korea: Teach about South Korea with The Way Home
Lesson One of The Way Home Curriculum Guide (original title: 집으로… / Jib-eulo) explores the Republic of Korea (South Korea). For grades 4-10.
Get The Way Home Curriculum Guide.
Syria: Teach about Syria with The Neighborhood Storyteller
The Neighborhood Storyteller Discussion Guide provides context and background about Syria. For grades 5-12.
Get The Neighborhood Storyteller Discussion Guide.
Tibet: Teach about Tibet with The Cup
Lesson One of The Cup Curriculum Guide (original title: ཕོར་པ། / Phörpa) introduces students to Tibet and the Himalayas. For grades 6-10.
Teach World Geography with Film: Country Facts
Many of our film guides contain printable country profile worksheets for students to fill out with geography facts. We recommend the following links as a starting point for country information.
The Library of Congress offers a digital collection of country profiles.
The CIA World Factbook was a reference resource prepared by the CIA for the use of U.S. government officials. It is no longer being offered online or publicly updated, but an archived version is available through the Internet Archive: The World Factbook (Edition: January 22, 2026).
The US Department of State website features a searchable database of country facts at state.gov.
WorldAtlas.com presents well-researched and entertaining content on geography (including world maps), science, current events, and more.
Yale Library offers a page of country profiles and overviews by subject: Yale Library Country Information/Country Profiles.
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