More than
300,000
young people have taken part in the Festival
Our flagship project is the Festival - the world’s largest youth drama festival.
About our impactInternational Film Festival
We’re delighted that our International Film Festival will return to schools across the globe in 2025. Through the project, young people aged 8-18 will produce their own abridged Shakespeare movies, developing confidence, creativity and resilience in the process.
From directors and actors, to editors, camera-operators, sound and lighting designers, hair-and-make-up artists, location scouts and much more, this transformative digital process has empowered teachers and students alike.
What is it?
Shakespeare Schools International Film Festival is a cultural education project that supports schools to produce abridged Shakespeare films for a digital showcase. You can see last year's entries via the link here.
Over several months, participating schools will be supported to produce their film with a series of teacher training workshops and resources from professional film and drama facilitators. Our Shakespeare scripts have been abridged by acclaimed writers including Sir Tom Stoppard and Jamila Gavin, and our dedicated Programmes Coordinators are on hand to support teachers through each step of the process.
Join the Festival now and give your students the chance to shine on the silver screen.
Read our Film Festival FAQs or ask us a question.
How does it work?
Step One
The project begins with a series of online sessions from expert facilitators on how to prepare as a director, getting to know the story, characters and language, and preparing to realise your play on film.
You'll develop all the key skills you need for the project ahead. We'll cover everything from shooting to editing, lighting to syncing sound.
Step Two
Prepare, film and edit your school's Shakespeare short film with the aid of our easy-to-use digital resources and videos.
Our team of Programmes Coordinators will be available by phone and email to support you every step of the way.
Step Three
Coram Shakespeare Schools Foundation’s website becomes an international Shakespearean cinema, as the Festival reaches its thrilling conclusion.
We'll host films from schools across the world and releasing them over a weeklong celebration of our young participants. Watch out for our Best of the Fest digital event - a final, celebratory showcase of the incredible creativity we’ve seen.
When does it take place?
Our Film Festival begins with online training sessions in June, readying teachers to direct their own Shakespeare short film.
Films are submitted in November and will go live on the website in December 2025.
For more information, get in touch here.
| Date | |
|---|---|
| Teacher Training: Sessions One and Two | June 2025 |
| Teacher Training: Sessions Three, Four and Five | September 2025 |
| Film Submission Deadline | November 2025 |
| Film Premiere Week | December 2025 |
| Best of the Fest | January 2026 |
*All dates subject to change
How much does it cost?
We're thrilled that for our 25th anniversary year, we're able to offer our Film Festival at its lowest ever price. Join what will be our biggest and best Film Festival yet.
| Non Fee-Paying Schools | Fee-Paying Schools | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | £299 (+VAT) | £659 (+VAT) |
| Cost Per Student | £9* per student | £19* per student |
| Includes | Digital CPD, resources, dedicated coordinator support, and online Film Festival showcase included in fee | |
| As a registered charity, we work hard to fundraise more than a quarter of a million pounds each year, ensuring participation in our programmes is subsidised for participating schools. | ||
Looking for fundraising ideas to help finance the project? Click here.
*For a cast of 35 students
Or, take a look at the other exciting programmes that we're running this year:
-
Theatre Festival
Find out more -
Workshops
Find out more