What exactly is Campfire?
Established in 2006,Campfire provides schools access to an online library of high quality short films that help introduce difficult topics and spark discussions about meaningful issues.
What kind of short films do you have?
Curriculum relevant themes include Aboriginal Perspectives, Media Studies, Religion and Society. Each film also comes with support materials known as “Fireside Notes”, designed to help teachers quickly focus on the key learnings and optimise outcomes. The films also provide inspirational viewing for Media Studies students learning video production.
What makes these different from other online educational films?
They are all high quality films from across the globe and are made by independent filmmakers and students. The films are also short enough to suit the attention span of students and also allow time for class discussion.
How easy are they to select and view?
• Films can be streamed direct from the website into the classroom or downloaded for sharing with school media libraries.
• All films are tagged with quick search criteria and are rated online by other teachers.
• Rigorous pre-screening and rating protocols ensure the suitability of the material.
What’s the cost and what do I get?
Campfire School Memberships start from just $450 per year. Three membership levels provide access to 10, 25 or unlimited films at any stage throughout the year. This includes full download or streaming of each film and its supporting Fireside Notes.
Are there any other value adds?
• As mentioned above, Fireside Notes are provided with each film to help with lesson planning and to facilitate discussion.
• Online discussion around films provides further stimulating points for consideration. We have a regular program throughout the year to gather and share short essays from community leaders and subject-area teaching experts.
• Students and teachers can contribute to the ongoing, moderated discussion of issues at any time.
Students have the opportunity to submit their own productions for potential screening.
• A not-for-profit organisation, Campfire also hosts quarterly online film festivals plus an annual live Awards Screening Event at ACMI, Federation Square.
• Profits go to independent and student filmmakers.