How can I start a film club?
The specifics of starting a student film club vary depending on whether it's for a high school or university, but typically any club requires a teacher or professor to serve as the club advisor. After selecting possible teachers or professors to serve in this capacity, communicate the role you would like the advisor to play. For instance, are you looking for an advisor to play an active role in the club’s formation, or someone who sits back and lets students lead?
How to facilitate a movie club?
No single formula exists, but creating a recognizable structure– like electing a club president, etc– provides a sense of organization to keep things on track. Students in the film club may choose to create a calendar of film screenings for the year, or they may choose to put it to a vote and let members decide the next film for screening.
What materials are required?
In a COVID world, members may decide to hold the screenings virtually, or in person. If held virtually, attendance depends on the access individual members have to a computer, high-speed internet, and subscriptions to streaming services. (for private use) If held in person, students should have access to a screen, or selected film, and may require licensing if shown publicly (students should research this prior to screening).
See Video Librarian's Guide to Public Performance Rights for more information.
What do students do in a film club?
This is another question answered by the particular needs of the students. Often film clubs invite faculty speakers or other guests to speak on a panel or provide a Q&A following the film screening. Depending on the club’s budget, students may invite someone involved in the production of the film, though this occurs in university film clubs more than in high school. University film clubs sometimes host and/or sponsor/co-sponsor film festivals or monthly screenings organized around a cohesive theme. Film clubs frequently involve dialogue among club members about the selected film(s).
Get some inspiration from Video Librarian's list of Off-Beat Film Festival Ideas