Initiatives of film education in iberoamerican film festivals (2005 - 2019)

Abstract

This article analyses film education policies implemented between 2005 and 2019 by various film festivals held in Iberoamerican countries. Our goal is to identify and analyse initiatives of non-formal education aimed at developing two fundamental aspects of Film Literacy: (1) creating new audiences and (2) training new authors and professionals. The study combines quantitative analysis, based on data collection (for the festival mapping), with qualitative methodologies, such as participant observation and interviews (to analyse specific practises and examples). The research sample includes 178 Iberoamerican festivals (120 generalist and 58 specialised in young audiences), and offers detailed examples of Spain and Chile. The results show a proliferation and consolidation of: (1) festivals dedicated to young audiences, as well as parallel sections dedicated to children and young people at major festivals; (2) parallel activities aimed at training professionals and amateurs. Film festivals are therefore presented as ideal spaces to complement education curriculum at different levels, from primary education to vocational retraining. In this way, it might be possible to overcome the problems involved in the inclusion of these programs in the framework of formal education, such as the slow adaptation of existing legislation, the high cost of implementation, the continuous need to redesign and update contents, and the specialized teacher training required.