Film lovers at Eden Girls’ Leadership Academy, Manchester followed in the footsteps of some of their favourite big screen stars as they won a national award at a ceremony in London’s Leicester Square.
Pupils at the secondary school won the ‘Film Club of the Year’ at the Into Film Awards 2022, held at Odeon Luxe Leicester Square, where many blockbuster movies have their premieres.
Beating off competition from two other finalists based in Northern Ireland and Scotland, the members of the film club were delighted to take their award back to Manchester after it was presented to them at the awards hosted by Sue Perkins.
The club was started by movie enthusiast Miss Chivers, the school’s Director of Learning for English and Performing Arts, in September 2017 and now takes place weekly, providing pupils with a way to connect with those with a shared love of film.
During the hour-long get-together, the club’s members share their opinions on the films they have watched, many of which are linked to the curriculum, which provides an avenue to have open discussions about wider issues within society.
Miss Chivers said:
“I’m so proud we have won this award, but I think it’s reflective of the passion for movies that the girls share. It’s been a great way to bring pupils from a range of year groups together, make friends and share their love of film.
“The pupils enjoy taking part as I think it helps them relax and unwind after what can be tiring days at school. In that sense, the Film Club is an important part of the whole school’s wellbeing strategies and making sure their extra-curricular activities run in parallel with their studies.”
Even lockdown did not stop the club in its tracks, as Miss Chivers ensured pupils could continue to enjoy their regular meetings online. Throughout the pandemic, pupils recommended films to each other and created quizzes for the group to take part in, helping the girls to stay connected during their time apart.
Miss Chivers added:
“Nothing was going to stop us running the Film Club. Every member really embraced the technology and I think lockdown actually increased the importance of the club and those shared connections.”