Free film festival for UK schools

Film education charity, Into Film, will open a free film festival for UK schools with ‘pupil premieres’ of Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical in cinemas across the UK on November 8 ahead of the film’s UK release. 

Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical is an inspirational musical tale of an extraordinary girl who discovers her superpower. 

Matilda Wormwood summons the remarkable courage, against all odds, to help others change their stories, whilst also taking charge of her own destiny.  

Standing up for what’s right, she’s met with miraculous results. 

The film is a brand-new take on the Tony and Olivier award-winning musical and boasts a stellar cast, including Emma Thompson as the villainous Mrs Trunchbull; Lashana Lynch as Miss Honey; Stephen Graham and Andrea Riseborough as Matilda’s parents, and Alisha Weir as Matilda.  

Directed by Tony Award-winning director Matthew Warchus (Matilda the Musical), the film is produced by Eric Fellner and Tim Bevan for Working Title, Jon Finn (Billy Elliot), and Luke Kelly of The Roald Dahl Story Company.  

Screenwriter Dennis Kelly adapts the Royal Shakespeare Company’s production for the big screen, with original music and lyrics by Tim Minchin. 

This year’s festival will take place from 8-25 November, with hundreds of free screenings, Q & A’s and special film and careers events which will help educators bring learning to life to inspire their pupils of 5-19 year-olds.  

Into Film has also created many curriculum-linked, teaching resources and film guides to support teachers and their pupils attending the festival. 

Education charity, Into Film, is supported by the BFI using National Lottery funding, thanks to National Lottery players, and the UK film industry through Cinema First. The National Lottery raises £36 million each week for good causes across the UK. 

Check out the full programme and booking information here. 

Bookings are now available. 

Into Film’s new Black History Month and Experiences Programme has also just recently been launched on Into Film+, Into Film’s new, rights-compliant streaming service for UK schools.

The aim of this programme is to embed a variety of black topics in the school curriculum throughout the whole year, rather than just October.

Educational films and resources have been added to the programme for primary and secondary learners.

To find out more about the programme, click here.

Cover image copyright: Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical © SONY ALL RIGHTS RESERVED