Film Education and Students’ Mental Health in the Czech-German Context

How can film education contribute to the mental well-being of pupils and students? And what opportunities and challenges does working with film present within the Czech and German school environments?

A moderated discussion with educators and film education experts from the Czech Republic and Germany will offer inspiring perspectives on how film can be used to explore topics such as mental well-being, empathy, and self-reflection, while also helping to create a safe classroom environment. The sharing of specific approaches, experiences, and methods will serve as inspiration for teachers and professionals who wish to use film not only as an artistic medium, but also as an educational and supportive tool.

First speaker of the discussion will be Christian Dirksen. Christian studied art education, history, and social studies for teaching in Frankfurt am Main. He has been working for 20 years at IGS Herder in Frankfurt am Main, a cultural school of the state of Hessen. There, he is engaged in various aspects of film education: in a four-hour practical film day, the youth film jury group, the short film break group, as well as in subject lessons. For the past five years, he has participated with the practical film day in the renowned international film education program “Le cinéma, cent ans de jeunesse” (CCAJ). At the school, he coordinates the cooperation with the German Film Institute & Film Museum (DFF).

Another speakers will be announced soon.