French Government Launches Initiative to Revitalize Film Education for Students
créteil, France – The French government today unveiled a comprehensive plan to overhaul film education in schools and substantially expand access to cinema for students nationwide. The initiative, spearheaded by the Ministries of National Education and Culture, aims to counter declining cinema attendance and address concerns about youth screen addiction by fostering a deeper recognition for cinematic arts.
The plan centers around a major expansion of the “Ma classe au cinéma” program, with a goal of reaching 4 million students – double the current 2 million – within two years.This will be supported by a commitment of 8 million euros in new funding from the Ministry of Culture and the Centre national du cinéma et l’image animée (CNC) starting in 2026. The move comes after a report released in september by Edouard Geffray, now Minister of Culture, which highlighted the importance of film education as “an exact antidote” to excessive screen time.
Beyond expanding ”Ma classe au cinéma,” which allows students to attend the cinema at least three times a year with a reduced ticket price, the government will also focus on strengthening film education within the curriculum. Plans include multiplying the number of classes à horaires aménagés cinéma – specialized classes offering enhanced arts instruction - from the current nine pilot programs. A new online resource platform for teachers is also in growth, alongside a dedicated interuniversity diploma (DIU) in film education, open to educators and other professionals.
The initiative will further explore the creation of pilot municipal or departmental film conservatories, offering localized resources and training. According to Edouard Geffray, the government intends for one in three students to benefit from “Ma classe au cinéma” within two years. This declaration arrives amid a broader trend of declining cinema attendance, with current figures mirroring levels seen in the early 2000s, as noted by Richard Patry, president of the Fédération nationale des cinémas français (FNCF).
