Developed in partnership with the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust (HMDT).
Harnessing the power of film to support essential conversations in the classroom.
Students can discover more about crucial moments in history, including stories of the Holocaust, as well as more recent genocides.
Curated list from the BBFC’s expert Compliance Officers that features Denial, The Missing Picture and Sometimes in April, among other titles.
Today, the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) has launched a brand new film resource to educate A-level students about the Holocaust and recognised genocides around the world. Developed in collaboration with the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust (HMDT), the resource is designed to support activities across the UK ahead of Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) on 27 January 2024.
The brand new free resource comprises a film list curated by BBFC Compliance Officers – the experts in content classification – exploring the history and stories of the Holocaust, as well as more recent recognised genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur. Most suitable for use by A-level educators, university societies or appropriately-aged youth groups, the resource includes key classification information (such as the age rating and content advice for each film). Additionally, the resource features helpful prompts to facilitate classroom conversations on the subject matter, and encourage students to examine their portrayal in each of the titles.
The resource is freely available on the bbfc.co.uk website.
Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) will take place on 27 January 2024 and remembers the six million Jews murdered during the Holocaust, alongside the millions of other people killed under Nazi persecution of other groups and during more recent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur.
David Austin OBE, Chief Executive of the BBFC and Trustee of the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust said: “It remains as important as ever that we continue to support the awareness and understanding of the Holocaust, and of genocides around the world, and recognise their lasting impacts on people and societies today. We appreciate the strong educational value that films can have, and their ability to serve as an excellent springboard for important and sometimes difficult conversations. We’re proud to deliver this brand new film resource in partnership with the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust.”
Joe Miller, Head of Outreach of the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust said: “We are delighted to partner with our friends at the British Board of Film Classification to create a new Holocaust Memorial Day film resource. This resource will give young adults, students, and others the chance to engage with the Holocaust and more recent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda and Bosnia. Each film will include discussion points and questions, making the resource ideal for educational use or as part of a Holocaust Memorial Day activity. This initiative aligns with our overarching objective of learning from genocide for a better future.”
The BBFC Education team provides a wealth of educational and parent-focused resources, including free classroom handouts and posters, as well as a suite of free downloadable PSHE Association accredited resources, which support primary and secondary teachers to deliver the statutory Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) and Health curriculums in England. In addition, the BBFC offers a curated series of virtual seminars to give young people and educators further insight into our age ratings and ratings information. Please visit bbfc.co.uk/education for further information.
For more information, please get in touch with Izzy Baker or Tasha Bourke on +447946 423719 or press@bbfc.co.uk. Further information and press assets can also be found on the Media Centre.
The BBFC is independent and not-for-profit, and here to help everyone in the UK – especially children and families – choose age-appropriate films, videos and websites, wherever and however they watch or use them. Now, as well as classifying films released in UK cinemas and on DVD and Blu-ray, it’s providing age-ratings for Video On Demand and music videos online, and helping Mobile Network Operators set parental controls at the right level. Please visit bbfc.co.uk for further information.
HMDT is the charity established and primarily funded by the UK Government to promote and support Holocaust Memorial Day. We promote and support HMD as the UK’s national day to commemorate the six million Jews murdered during the Holocaust, alongside the millions of people killed under Nazi persecution of other groups and in more recent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur; to encourage people to learn lessons from the past and take steps to challenge hatred and persecution. To find out more go to hmd.org.uk.
HMD is the international day on 27 January to remember the six million Jews murdered during the Holocaust, alongside the millions of people killed under Nazi persecution of other groups, and in more recent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur. HMD is for everyone. Each year across the UK, thousands of people come together to learn more about the past and take action to create a safer future. Together we bear witness for those who endured genocide, and honour the survivors and all those whose lives were changed beyond recognition.
