Guide to IB Film Curriculum and How it Helps Students

The International Baccalaureate Film is a two year course in the IB Diploma Program. The main aim of this course is to help students learn skills for interpreting and making film texts. The course explores film history, theory and socio-economic background. It helps in development of critical abilities in students, helping them learn how to appreciate the historical perspectives in films along with the multiplicity of cultural perspectives. They are taught to consider film texts, ideas and theories from the point of view of different cultures, nations and individuals.

1. In IB Film course, junior year is spent laying the groundwork and learning the fundamentals of film product and analysis. It also involves the learning process of major movements in the film industry.

1. 2. Students get to use key concepts of film genre, language, narrative, audience and representation for commenting upon elements like- camera angles, sound, location and set design, lighting, target audience, editing and sequencing and historical, socio-cultural and institutional factors.
2. 3. Under film theory and history, students learn about films from different countries. They learn about people who made the film, why it was made, what is the nature of engagement with the film, how it addresses the audiences and so on.
3. 4. According to the IB, film is not only an art form but also a powerful communication medium. It requires a lot of courage, curiosity and passion to create, present and study a film. It also needs courage to explore ideas through action and passion for communication.
4. 5. The core of the IB Film course is clarity of understanding, reflective analysis, critical thinking and effective involvement. These are to be achieved through practical engagement in the art and craft of films.
5. 6. The SL (Standard Level) and HL (Higher Level) syllabus of this course outlines share elements. All students, whether HL or SL are encouraged for developing creative and critical abilities through various teaching approaches, including the deconstruction and construction of film texts. They are also encouraged to enhance their ability to enjoy and appreciate a film.
6. 7. There are qualitative as well as quantitative differences between SL and HL. According to the nature of this course, HL students need to develop creative skills as well as theoretical understanding. They need to display a continuous resolve of personal challenge along with engagement with practices, ideas and concepts encountered within the course.
7. 8. HL students are given sufficient time for these encounters. They get extra time for reflecting and recording evidence of growth. This course is available at the SL and HL levels and the prescribed number of hours is 240 for HL and 150 for SL. As a part of this course, students are assessed internally as well as externally.

There are several international schools in India that offer IB curriculum to students. This curriculum is meant for developing knowledgeable and inquiring people who can create a peaceful and better world through respect and intercultural understanding.