Alondra Pacheco, AATSP 9-12 Representative

FilmSlam Streams is a free program for educators that is made available thanks to the Cleveland International Film Festival (CIFF) media literacy program. Through FilmSlam Streams educators can access modern language films for their classes. By registering for this free program language teachers receive monthly installments of short films delivered directly to their inbox. 

Teachers may select from a variety of films and programs such as Animated Cinema, Arabic language cinema, Black Cinema, BIPOCC Cinema, Chinese language Cinema, Cultural Cinema, Cultural Cinema Light (specifically geared towards Grades 5-8), Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Accessibility Cinema, French Language Cinema. German Cinema, Human Rights Cinema, Jewish Cinema, Latinx Cinema, Social Justice Cinema, Spanish Language Cinema, Student Cinema (films made by students in Grades 5-12), Ukrainian Cinema, Women’s Empowerment Cinema, and World Language Cinema. 

Aside from films, educators are given access to study guides, curriculum links, post-screening activities and resources, and access to participate in Zoom Q&A with filmmakers. Upon receiving a film, students are encouraged to fill out a pre-viewing survey and complete a post-viewing survey to express their opinions.

Watching these short films is a great way to incorporate authentic materials into your class, your Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica (SHH) meetings, or to host an event in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. This past month, my SHH Chapter was able to watch “The Walkout,” a social justice film about the Mexican American student protest of 1968 in East Los Angeles. By viewing this short film, students learned about the unequal education system of the time and the activism of Mexican American families to bring change into their community. Also, we greatly enjoyed watching “La gran obra,” a short film from Spain that delves into the value of art. All my students are excited to receive October’s installment. 

Look for more information at: https://www.clevelandfilm.org/programs/filmslam

You can sign up at any time to enjoy these free short films. Also, if you are in the Cleveland area, you may enjoy the FilmSlam Festival at Playhouse Square from March 28+31 and April 1-4, 2025.