Partnerships Lending Library Classes & Workshops

Education Programming

ELL High School Filmmaking:
Partnering with TCSD, JH Historical Society, Latino Resource Center. A multidisciplinary and collaborative medium, this film project develops visual and verbal storytelling techniques and builds social and personal relationships that span generational and cultural boundaries. As media technology becomes more accessible, young people are documenting their world, sharing opinions and expressing creativity. High school ELL students will explore their cultural heritage, as well as that other local immigrants through history, while telling their personal stories through digital media. Student films will be presented to the community at the Center Theater, in tandem with the Latino Visiting Filmmaker event, encouraging community-wide inter-cultural exchange.

Dias de Descubrimiento:
In collaboration with Teton Science Schools, the Literacy Program, and the Latino Resource Center. Each session takes 30 Latinos into public lands for seasonal nature photography expeditions to develop an identification with place culminating in a potluck dinner and multimedia presentation to share the experience with family and friends. Creating a “safe” opportunity for new immigrants to venture into the National Parks and Forests of our Valley—free from worry about interaction with government stop points—with bilingual photographers and biologists, will encourage deeper exploration of Jackson Hole’s natural landscape, and empower a relationship with place that extends beyond the economic.

Teacher Continuing Education Credits:
This innovative program for professional enrichment and development creates an opportunity for teachers to earn continuing education credits. University professors and filmmakers lead cinema and humanities based discussions, along with technology and media training during the Festival. In addition to special screenings and filmmaker discussions specifically targeted for educators, they engage in hands-on workshops with production equipment (including Apple, Sony, Panasonic and others) to enhance technical skills. This is a well rounded program helps teachers update their skills and incorporate the power of film into their curriculum.

Nature of Learning:
In association with the National Elk Refuge, Craighead Beringia South, pARTners, the National Museum of Wildlife Art and the Geologists of Jackson Hole, JHWFF created a pilot program introducing elementary students to the National Elk Refuge for a variety of art and science expeditions. Students participate in four expeditions allowing them to experience the landscape through different seasons and conditions. Each outing offers unique opportunities for discovery, focusing on a different aspect of the rich and complicated ecosystem of the Refuge. Accompanied by scientists and artists, students examine the geo-history, cultural history and natural history of the Refuge creating journals that record their observations and discoveries. These keepsakes are valuable tools connecting the students with their environment using art and literature to enhance their scientific education.

DigitalKids—Digital Photography in the Classroom:
JHWFF offers third and fourth grade teachers an opportunity to enrich their classroom curriculum with digital photography. With JHWFF equipment and professional instruction, teachers augment specific classroom projects with in-class technical support on a short term, project-by-project basis. From documenting an important class presentation or transforming short stories into illustrated books, digital photography is utilized across curriculum in creative ways. One fourth grade class has students capturing images to illustrate real life geometry, for use in identifying and measuring angles. Other classes are documenting the life cycle of plants and crayfish as they develop. This popular program was initiated through a WAC Tech grant that was used to purchase 20 digital cameras, making it possible to assign cameras to each student in class.

Fifth Grade Podcasting:
Building upon the Nature of Learning program & a weekly digital photography unit presented during the first six weeks of school, fifth grade students advance their skills in short-form podcasting while exploring the Snake River Corridor. They create one to two minute projects consisting of their own drawings, photographs and short video clips (shot on digital cameras provided by JHWFF) to illustrate stories they write and narrate. Working with professional filmmakers, students create wonderful, imaginative projects with surprising ease! Using accessible software programs (iLife, iPhoto, iMovie and Garage Band), students have a hands-on experience that incorporates a number of artistic fields, developing technical skills and computer literacy. A screening event will give them the opportunity to see their work on "the big screen" with family and friends.

Middle School Filmmakers:
JHWFF collaborates with professional documentary filmmakers to strengthen the Middle School's Video Drama course. Seventh grade students work with mentors to create their own documentary and short projects, discovering tools and techniques most often reserved for older students and professionals. Local filmmakers enjoy this opportunity to share their experience and production skills with young storytellers eager to express themselves using a new medium.

High School Filmmakers:
Partnering with the High School and JH Filmmakers Exchange to augment Beginning Filmmaking Classes, JHWFF provides workshops and tutorials for novice filmmakers. JHWFF introduces the students to writers, producers, cameramen, animators, video and sound editors who guide the students as they move from pre-production to post. Exposure and access to these individuals elevates student interest and strengthens their projects as they develop their filmmaking skills.

The Filmmaker’s Exchange fosters professional development, networking and idea exchange among media professionals in the greater Yellowstone area through hosted discussions, special events and educational screenings.

The year-round Film Lending Library offers schools and libraries throughout Wyoming the opportunity to screen nature films for educational and non-commercial purposes.