CIFF’s Coronado Classic Film Study Program is open to any upper middle and high school students attending public schools, charter or parochial schools, and homeschoolers. We welcome all students to attend and join post-screening moderated discussion.  This launch of the program was made possible with seed funding from the City of Coronado Community grant. 

Two purposes will guide the program:

1) To develop in young people the discernment necessary to understand dramatic film narratives. Because movies employ so many senses, classic films are among the most powerful genres of visual storytelling.  The program will introduce young people classic movies, made by recognized masters of the film medium. 

2) to challenge young people to analyze dramatic film narratives and hone critical thinking skills. Every dramatic narrative is, in its essence, a story of redemption. Great stories incorporate an introduction, a protagonist, an antagonist, and some form of conflict. Great stories conclude when these conflicts are resolved. This general narrative model is followed, in various forms, in nearly every classic film made during Hollywood’s Golden Age.  

EDUCATIONAL GUIDES/EXPANDED STUDY

A special program will be made available for Homeschoolers or independent study to document program completion as a drama and/or film appreciation elective. 

The discussion guides are drawn from Dr. Onalee McGraw, founder of the Educational Guidance Institute (EGI) and a former educator. She has been featured on Turner Classic Movies, and her Classic Film study guides have been used successfully with audiences of young people around the nation from widely diverse demographic backgrounds and cultural experiences.  If you would like more information on bringing a group or class and utilize the guided curriculum please contact Jon Mosier for more information:  Classicstudy@coronadofilm.com .