Austin Film Festival

Austin Film Festival's Storytelling Through Film (STF) is an arts education program that improves students' reading, writing, and communication skills through the popular medium of film by providing curriculum and resources to public schools.  Additionally, STF introduces students to career possibilities in screenwriting and filmmaking through intensive, hands-on instruction from industry professionals. 

Launched in Fall 2005, and integrated into high school English Language Arts classes, provides the curriculum, reading materials, state-of-the-art film equipment, and professional filmmaker instructors to participating schools. STF programmers work closely with the teachers in the classroom, offering training, guidance, and assistance throughout the school year. STF has effectively served over 1,500 Austin Independent School District (AISD) students. 

With a curriculum developed by Austin Film Festival (AFF) and AISD English teachers, STF is aligned with TEKS guidelines and has been implemented in high schools where a disproportionate number of the student body are economically disadvantaged and considered at-risk. 

Achievement in the English academic component of the class is assessed by TEKS scores, which are compared with those of the same students from the previous year. TEKS scores have increased dramatically in Akins High School, where STF has been taught since 2005, and both the teachers and principal attribute these improvements in large part to STF.  Akins High School - English Language Arts (ELA) scores have increased from 77% in 2005 to 86% in 2007.   Compared with the District Average scores, which increased from 80% in 2005 to 83% in 2007. 

Equally important, teachers report that in the STF classes they experience 100% completion of course assignments – unheard of in other classes – and that their students are engaged and excited and that this is how the teachers consider the teaching process to be a success.  

STF is working toward being incorporated into all AISD high schools and broadening its reach to neighboring ISDs. 

If you would like to make a contribution or get more information about STF, please contact Alissa Ziemianski at alissa@austinfilmfestival.com or at (512)478-4795. 

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