The Film and Faith section of this website is designed to give those that wish to study film in the context of faith a set of tools to do so. It contains:
• Introduction to Film and Faith
• Copyright
• Classification
• 
Movies, Movies, Movies
Introduction
Using ’secular’ film in the classroom or church setting can be an exceptionally powerful tool. Like other art forms, film is a medium through which humans seek to explore, explain and rationalise our place within the world. It is incredibly rich and diverse… a single film may reflect multiple traditions, values and cultures.
By their very nature as narratives reflecting the human condition, (in both real and fantastical settings), films can explore, explain, illustrate and challenge faith perspectives. Films may also misrepresent, exploit, unfairly criticise and undermine religious faith and expression.
Whether they illustrate a religious perspective or offer a vision totally abhorrent to members of many faith communities, film is worthy of study as an educational resource in a context where young people and adults openly and critically explore issues of faith.
On a practical note, unlike some other products used in schools and churches, film is a medium that is well funded and reflects very high production values a single film can cost many millions. What other resource has this kind of investment? What other resource is a product of such rigorous market research and audience testing? Films are also easily (and relatively cheaply) available through cinema, video/DVD and, increasingly, online.
The Film and Faith section of this website is designed to give those that wish to study film in the context of faith a set of tools to do so. It contains guidance on copyright and classification, teaching ideas that have been used in a variety of settings and a list of films that have an obvious connection to a faith perspective or issue. It does not claim to be comprehensive and if anyone has anything they would wish to add to any section of this site please contact Karenza Passmore using the form below:
Contact Form
Also, don't forget that the Resources Centre has an extensive collection of useful book /film /online resources - search our catalogue to find out more.
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Copyright
The use of film in any setting raises questions of copyright. The following guidelines are our attempt to illustrate how the use of film may be legitimately used as a tool to explore or develop faith in a variety of settings. The following advice is offered in good faith and has been approved by the British Film Institute (BFI).
The North East Religious Learning Resources Centre does not advocate, encourage or support the illegal copying, showing or misuse of film material.
Using Film in Educational Establishments
The copyright statement at the start of all videos outlines a variety of prohibited contexts, including schools, in which the film may not be shown. However, film may be used in an educational context under certain conditions.
The BFI publication, Making Movies Matter, chapter 4, para 4.6 quotes the Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988 as follows:
'...films or broadcasts can be copied "to make a film in the course of instruction by a person giving or receiving instruction". Teachers or students can record broadcasts "for educational purposes" so long as they are not sold or hired out to third parties. All works - including film and video - may be copied under the Act’s fair dealing provisions. This means that it is permissible to copy a reasonable proportion of the work for “criticism or review”.'
This advice covers copying rather than showing but BFI guidance is that you can SHOW film material as long as it is in the course of teaching in a bona fide educational institution. (Making Movies Matter is downloadable as a pdf from the BFI website: http://www.bfi.org.uk/education.)
According to the BFI, this means that the following is OK:
• Showing movies, in whole or part, during a teaching session.
• Buying a video for use in the classroom and copying relevant parts of it for students to take home and study as part of the curriculum.
• Showing films as part of an after school club.
Providing that:
• No charge is made for any of the above activities
• That the films are not being shown for the purposes of 'entertainment' (schools that show films at the end of term please note!)
Using Film in Non-Educational Institutions
If you wish to show film as part of a faith event, or in a faith setting, it is important to ensure that you have adequate permission.
For a one off event you can seek (for a fee) a Single Title Licence. This is usually easily obtainable directly from the copyright owner (often the films' production company). If you are not sure, or cannot contact them, directly then try contacting Filmbank. This is a joint venture company owned by Warner Bros. Entertainment and Sony Pictures Releasing. It represents many of the leading Hollywood and independent film studios in the area of film usage outside the cinema and home. For further information on their services see the Filmbank website:
http://www.filmbank.co.uk/
If you wish to use film more often then it may be worthwhile investing in a more general licence like that offered by the Christian Copyright Licensing International (CCLI). The cost of the licence depends on your average aggregated attendance and how you wish to use the film. There are two kinds of licence available: to use film clips to illustrate sermons and to use whole films for entertainment or teaching.
For more information on the scope of the CCLI, the production companies it covers and the cost of the licences please see the CCLI website:
http://www.ccli.co.uk/licences/churches_showing-films.cfm
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Classification
Teachers often ask if it is illegal to show clips or whole films to young people when the film has been given a film classification certificate over their own age. Advice from the British Film Institute is that this is not illegal:
The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) film certification stands as protection for cinemas that are licensed by local authorities to show films (and could have their licences withdrawn if they show unsuitable material). Local authorities can challenge the certification if they want to do so, and this has happened successfully on some occasions. VIDEO/DVD classification DOES have legal status, but this applies to shops and their customers. Schools, acting as they do in loco parentis, are free to exercise their own judgement as to what should and should not be shown to children.
The BBFC guidelines are there for a reason however and the certification is some indication of content and suitability. The BBFC website, www.bbfc.co.uk, is an excellent resource and information on film certification may be easily found here.
Teachers are strongly advised to ask for parental approval if they want to show all or some of, say, a 15-certificated film to a KS3 class. If teachers explain the educational context (and the judgement is a sensible one) parents usually give permission quite happily.
Many thanks to Mark Reid and the British Film Institute for their help with this section. The BFI have many resources specifically designed to support and develop the use of film in the classroom and whilst none (at this time) are specifically for Religious Education many may be adapted. Please visit www.bfi.org.uk/education or contact Mark directly for more information: Mark Reid.
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