EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS

Providing Ontario educators the tools to teach the fundamental skills of digital filmmaking.

Youth 101 Filmmaking Seminars

We have put our OYFF Educators’ Portal and membership on hold for now. If you would like to further discuss this, please feel free to contact us at director@oyff.ca. We always appreciate educator feedback!

We do still offer in-person seminars and filmmaking events as part of our Annual Youth Day in London, ON. Our 2025 Youth Day will be held on Tuesday October 28, 2025. More details to follow. 

Sample seminar from our Pre-Production Module.

Sample seminar from our Production Module.

Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) Events

In 2024, we took our SHSM program “Working with Actors” on the road to Hamilton. In 2025, we plan to take this show even further!
 
Our half-day “Working With Actors” SHSM event is aimed at high school students in the Arts & Culture and Information & Communication Technology streams. The event features three hands-on modules of instruction:
 
  • Directing Actors
  • Lighting and Camera with Actors
  • Recoreding Sounds with Actors
 

Our show’s success proved there is a powerful appetite for in-person instruction that affords students the opportunity for interactive learning and the chance to meet with industry professionals. Our plan for 2025 and beyond is to take the “Working With Actors” SHSM all across Ontario, offering the opportunity to school boards and students throughout the province.

If you would like to see our show in an area near you, please reach out to schedule a meeting by emailing director@oyff.ca. We would love to bring our SHSM event to your students!

Scene from the Directing Actors module.

Scene from the Recording Sound with Actors module.

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OYFF BENEFITS

We believe every high school student should have the opportunity to learn about filmmaking and reap the substantial rewards it has to offer. But you could say we’re kind of biased. You may be wondering “Why should I introduce filmmaking instruction in my school board or classroom?” It’s a fair question.

Why Teach Filmmaking?

Ontario’s Film and TV industry is booming! According to Ontario Creates, the province saw $3.15 billion in production spending across 419 productions in 2022. This marked the second year in a row that Ontario experienced record-breaking production.

While we’d love to help you help your students transition into rewarding careers in this vibrant industry, our educational programs will benefit every student – even those who aren’t striving to become the next Denis Villeneuve or Sarah Polley. 

Filmmaking is the ideal creative pursuit for strengthening a wide array of essential skills such as:

  • Problem Solving and Leadership
  • Goal Setting and Time Management
  • Teamwork and Collaboration
  • Audio and Video Production
  • Creativity and Adaptability

Today’s employers are seeking these skills. These are also skills that will serve students well throughout their lives, regardless of their chosen career path.

Filmmaking instruction is well-suited for Ontario’s Secondary School curriculum. Our educational programs can complement your instruction in a wide range of courses offered in:

  • The Arts
  • English
  • Interdisciplinary Studies
  • Technological Education
  • Canadian and World Studies
  • First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Studies
  • Social Sciences and Humanities

Best of all, your students are already video savvy thanks to their love for platforms like TikTok and YouTube and they have most everything they need to produce high-quality short films on their smartphones. They simply need some creative direction, educational support and reach-ahead opportunities to take their passion to the next level – and that’s where we come in!

TESTIMONIALS

“Seeing my film being played among so many other awesome works was very inspiring! It’s super cool to see how other student filmmakers in Ontario are working to make their movies come to life, especially in the wake of the pandemic.”
A Student Filmmaker 
“If I hadn’t heard of the festival, I probably would not have even tried filmmaking, and now I really like it!”
A Student Filmmaker
“Festivals can open up incredible opportunities. Having your artwork appreciated by people, especially people who are in your field, is an incredible experience!”
A Student Filmmaker
“Congratulations to the OYFF for creating such a great forum for our youth to display their creative talents. Good on you!”
Parent of a Student Filmmaker

A World of Possibilities Awaits Your Students

Contact us today!

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