Black History Month
To celebrate Black History Month this October, we are hosting a series of school screenings that showcase key moments, issues and people in black history. For events for Secondary, please click scroll down or click here.
All events listed below will feature a talk led by an expert speaker from the Royal African Society or Black History Walks that will give your students a fascinating look at the real life history that has inspired these films.
Tickets: £4.00 per student, no min group size. Please note that there may be other classes or schools in the screen with you.
Black history should be studied and celebrated year round, so you can book Zarafa - or any of our suggested films listed at the bottom of this page - for a private screening on a date of your choice at any time during the year (subject to availability).
Primary school events:
Zarafa + talk (PG)
Dates and Times
Clapham
Tuesday 9th, Oct, 10:30 am
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Hackney
Wednesday 17th, Oct, 10:30 am
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Stratford East
Friday 12th, Oct, 10:30 am
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Greenwich
Monday 15th, Oct, 10:30 am
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Director: Rémi Bezançon, Jean-Christophe Lie. France/Belgium. 2012. 80 min + 20 min intro
An exciting and moving animated adventure about Maki, a Sudanese boy who escapes from slave traders. When he meets Zarafa, an orphaned giraffe, he promises to be her protector and they become best friends. Taking up with a band of explorers, pirates, and merchants, young Maki goes on an incredible voyage by sea and air to accompany Zarafa to Paris, where she is to be presented as a gift from the Pasha of Egypt to the King of France. A thrilling adventure with a touch of history: there really was a giraffe called Zarafa given to Charles X who sparked a giraffe craze throughout France!
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Suitability: KS2 | Subjects: Art, History, Geography, Citizenship,
Price: £4 per student. Free for staff (1:10, KS1 1:6 ratio).
Thomas and Friends: Big World! Big Adventures! (U)
Join us this Black History Month for a free schools screening of Thomas and Friends: Big World! Big Adventures! The film will be introduced by Joanna Brown from the Film Africa festival. Joanna worked as a cultural adviser on the film and will give a behind the scenes look at the development of the new character "Nia", the first ever engine from Africa to join Thomas and friends!
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This is a free screening but you will still need to book tickets to ensure we don't sell out.
Dates and Times
Stratford East
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Tuesday 30th Oct, 10:00 am
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Director: David Stoten. UK. 2018. 85 min + 20 min intro
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Thomas sets off from Sodor to become the first engine to travel the world. His adventures take him to five continents as he sees deserts, jungles and dangerous mountains.
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Suitability: KS2 | Subjects: Art, History, Geography, Citizenship,
Price: Free - Booking required
Secondary school events
Black Panther + Talk (12A)
Dates and Times
Stratford East
Tuesday 11th, Oct,10:30 am
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Clapham
Tuesday 16th, Oct, 10:30 am
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Greenwich
Tuesday 16th, Oct,10:30 am
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Hackney
Thursday 18th, Oct, 10:30 am
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Director: Ryan Coogler, Jean-Christophe Lie. USA 2018. 135 min + 20 min intro
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After the death of his father, T'Challa returns home to the African nation of Wakanda to take his rightful place as king. When a powerful enemy suddenly reappears, T'Challa's mettle as king -- and as Black Panther -- gets tested when he's drawn into a conflict that puts the fate of Wakanda and the entire world at risk. Faced with treachery and danger, the young king must rally his allies and release the full power of Black Panther to defeat his foes and secure the safety of his people.
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Suitability: KS3/4 | Subjects: Film & Media, Geography, Citizenship,
Price: £4 per student. Free for staff (1:10, KS1 1:6 ratio).
Our Partners:
Our Black History Month events will be hosted in partnership with the following organisations who will be delivering the talks and discussions at the above screenings.
Black History Walks is a collective of athletes, IT professionals, teachers, artists, authors and film-makers who collaborate to produce events on British history which includes African/Caribbean people, throughout the year. www.blackhistorywalks.co.uk
Film Africa is the Royal African Society’s annual festival celebrating the best African cinema from across the continent and diaspora. Our sixth edition will take place in venues across London from Friday 2 - Sunday 11 November 2018: www.filmafrica.org.uk
Book by request:
Any of the above films can also be booked without the introductory talk as a private hire on a weekday morning of your choosing. We have also curated the below list of films that are available for private screenings. If you would like to make more of your trip, do ask at the time of booking if you can have some extra time in the screen after the film to lead a discussion with your students.
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Primary:
Kirikou And The Men and Women (U)
Director: Michel Ocelot. France. 1998. 72 mins. French with English subtitles.
In a little village in Africa, a boy named Kirikou is born. But although he is tiny, he is mighty... This compelling animation follows his adventures as he fixes problems for his fellow villagers and outwits the evil sorceress Karaba with his kindness and energy. The gorgeous visual style of the film and beautiful (and catchy!) folk songs bring this traditional African tale to life.
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Suitability: KS1 | Subjects: Art, History, Geography, Citizenship, Literacy, PSHE, Music
Price: £4 per student (min 65 students) or flat £260 for smaller groups. Free for staff (1:10 ratio).
The Princess And The Frog (U)
Director: Ron Clements, John Musker. USA. 2009. 95 mins.
This film marked a historic milestone for featuring the first African American Disney Princess.
Tiana is a beautiful young woman with big dreams, and into her life comes adashing young prince. There's only one problem - he's been transformed into a frog and when Tiana kisses him, she becomes a frog, too. Are they going to be able to find a way to return to their original bodies?
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Suitability: KS1 | Subjects: Art, History, Geography, Citizenship, , Literacy, PSHE, Music
Price: £4 per student (min 65 students) or flat £260 for smaller groups. Free for staff (1:10 ratio).
Secondary:
The Hard Stop (15)
Director: George Amponsah, UK. 2016. 85 mins.
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The Hard Stop examines the events that led up to and followed the death of Mark Duggan, whose shooting by police in London in 2011 precipitated widespread rioting in England. The documentary, takes a look at the history of Broadwater Farm, the Tottenham estate where Duggan grew up and the relationship between residents and the police. The film takes us past the headlines and media spin to show the humans involved. Essential viewing for students and teachers alike.
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Suitability: KS3/4 | Subjects: Film & Media, Sociology, Citizenship, PSHE
Price: £4 per student (min 65 students) or flat £260 for smaller groups. Free for staff (1:10 ratio).
Britain on Film: Black Britain (12A)
UK. 2017. 91 mins.
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This collection of archive films brings together films spanning from 1901 to 1985 - from Edwardian collieries to the Notting Hill Carnival - this programme offers audiences the chance to see and hear stories of migration, community and the battle against inequality and to celebrate our nation's vivid cultural history. The films cover many different regions of the UK, such as Cardiff in the '50s, Midlands in the '60s and Liverpool in the '70s.
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Suitability: KS3/4 | Subjects: Citizenship, Sociology, Politics, Film and Media
Price: £4 per student (min 65 students) or flat £260 for smaller groups. Free for staff (1:10 ratio).