How it Works
Pick Your Film
Teachers choose a film from Teen Screen’s diverse lineup and schedule their screening date. There are different offerings for Teen Screen's in-theater offerings (Pittsburgh area only) vs. Teen Screen's virtual program (available worldwide!), but both programs contain films that focus on the Holocaust, Genocide, STEM, Environmentalism, and Social Justice/Human Rights themes.
Once you've selected your film, get in touch with Teen Screen Director Lori Sisson to book it!
Prepare to Engage
Teen Screen provides a study guide for the film and an optional in-classroom or virtual lesson guided by an experienced educator that prepares students to see the film.
Experience the Story
School groups meet at a movie theater in Pittsburgh to watch the film. Alternatively, Teen Screen Virtual allows teachers and students to watch films at school or at home.
Discuss & Reflect
In-theater screenings are followed by guided discussions in which students openly discuss their impressions of the film and their viewpoints. For virtual programs, teachers can invite experienced educators to visit their school via Zoom to lead follow-up conversations.
When possible, Teen Screen and classroom teachers welcome special guests with a connection to the topic, such as Holocaust survivors or human rights advocates, who participate in person, virtually, or in recorded sessions. Often, filmmakers, film subjects, or film producers participate, too!
Respond & Create
All students are encouraged to reflect and share about what they have taken away from the Teen Screen experience. Responses can take any form—writing, visual art, and video.
“From watching the short films on disabilities, I experienced many different points of view from and about people with physical and mental disabilities. I saw what their everyday lives consisted of, and how the lives of their family members and friends were impacted, as well. It was inspirational to see how they were able to overcome everything that fell in their paths, despite their disabilities and with such an optimistic outlook. The one that will stay with me forever is the film about Principal Connolly, who got ALS. He was such a great person, and you could see that by how he had a special connection with each student in his high school. Even after his diagnosis, he kept a positive mindset, and lived his life to the fullest, thus being a role model for all of his students and for all of us in the theater. His message about telling those you love that you love them made me cry because you never know how much time you have left to share this sentiment. The speakers after the film carried the themes on and gave us first-hand accounts of all the details of having a physical disability and living your life, from things as simple as getting into a shower to navigating college life and married life. I have a completely new perspective on people with disabilities and have even more respect for them than I did before.”
—Student, Knoch HS
Film: A Focus on Disabilities: Short Films that Highlight Diversity and Inclusion