Frequently Asked Questions

If there's something you want to know about FILMCLUB it may have already been asked! Check here..

• What is FILMCLUB and how can I join?

  We are delighted you are interested in setting up a FILMCLUB at your school.
  
  FILMCLUB is a completely free (!) service that is funded by DCSF, so there would be no charge whatsoever. (It sounds too good to be true but it's not!)
  
  If you sign up to FILMCLUB, we will invite you to come along to an induction where you will be guided through how to set up a club in your school by one of our school support co ordinators.
  

  This will include a session about what types of films we have on our website, how to keep students engaged as well as how to use our website and get your students registering and writing reviews.
  

  It's also a chance to get some more information about how to use the facilities that you have to the best of your advantage. The equipment used varies from school to school - some use interactive whiteboards, large tvs or a projector and screen in bigger venues. That again depends on what types of facilities you have in your school. In terms of funding, we can't fund you for large pieces of equipment but can advise you how to use what you already have. You also get to take away from the induction a pack of posters and membership cards for your students.
  
  If you are state funded, then it is a completely free service. You will receive your films free from our partners LOVEFILM, and we will also pay for your PVS license for the year which enables you to show films within your school grounds. We are able to fund your school for things like black out blinds, cushions and popcorn machines to make your club as cinematic as possible.
  
  In order to get started click on the link 'Want to set up a FILMCLUB' and answer the questions which follow - you will be added to our list of schools.

  Once you have registered, you will receive an email to the address supplied which contains a link. If you click on this link you will be asked to confirm your details and then be taken to the 'Book an Induction' page.
  
  Here you will be asked to register your interest in an Induction which are taking place over the next few months all across the country. Please note that once you have registered for your chosen induction you will be sent an email which contains a link which will download two forms which need to be filled out and faxed back in order to confirm your place.
  
  At this point, all you have left to do is attend your Induction and set up your FILMCLUB.
  
  If you have any questions, do let us know by emailing support@filmclub.org.
  

• What can I do if I've forgotten my password?

  ​If you have forgotten your username/password all you need to do is click on the link 'whoops I have forgotten my password/username' and enter the email you registered with.
  
  You will then receive an email that contains a link which you can follow to reset your password. If you don't receive this email, check your junk folder or email support@filmclub.org to reset your password.

• How do I sign up my members to filmclub and how do they write reviews?

  ​1) Login
  
  Firstly you need to login. If you have forgotten your details you can retrieve your username and password by clicking on the link 'whoops I have forgotten my password/username' and enter the email address you registered with.
  
  You will then receive an email that contains a link which you can follow to reset your password. If you don't receive this email within ten minutes, check your junk folder or email support@filmclub.org to reset your password.
  
  2) Joining up members
  
  If you now use your information to login, there will be a code on your homepage (usually begins CC) and this is the code you can use to invite members to your club.
  
  In order to register as a member your students will need to click on 'Activate My Membership' at the top of the site and enter the code.
  
  They will then be asked a few questions and asked to choose their username and password. Once they have chosen this they will be able to login and access the members' view of the website.
  
  3) Writing reviews
  
  Once your members have logged in they can write reviews by clicking on 'My reviews' in the top blue navigation bar:
  
  Here they can write reviews by first clicking on 'write review' on the panel that comes up and following the instructions that follow.
  
  Alternatively, they can search for the film they wish to review and click on the blue 'write review' button which appears at the top right hand of the reviews box.

• How do I choose films?

  There are many ways of finding films on our website. Visit the EXPERIENCE OUR FILMS section of the site and you can see all the films we have available organised alphabetically, and collected into Seasons and Themes - as well as being ordered by whether they're recommended by us and what age range they're best suited to.

  Our FILM WORLD online magazine also has weekly features about great movies both new and old that are packed with recommendations and suggestions, as well as coverage of new DVD releases.

  Or if you know what it is you're after you can just use the basic search box, enter the title - and hopefully we'll have it available.

• How do I order films?

  ​To order films you will first need to login to your account. If you have forgotten your login details, just click on the link 'whoops I have forgotten my password/username' and you will receive an email that contains a link which you can follow to reset your password. If you don't receive this email, check your junk folder or email support@filmclub.org to reset your password.
  
  You can now order films by searching for the films you wish to screen and then clicking on the blue ORDER button:
  
  There are special categories of films to help you decide which films to screen, including FILMCLUB recommends, themes, seasons etc. If you have any problems selecting your films, please do let us know by emailing support@filmclub.org and we would be happy to recommend films suitable for your age group. See also How do I choose films?
  

• How do we get the films we choose?

  Once your club chooses its films and places its order, they will be posted out to the teacher or club leader by our partners LOVEFiLM (as long as the film is currently in stock). Once you have watched them you use the envelope provided to send them back.

• What if the film I want is not on the FILM CLUB website?

  If the film you want isn't here, it's likely it is either an 18 certificate (which we do not make available to our members) or is not currently available on DVD in the UK. But if there's a film that you think should be available to FILMCLUB members through our site and isn't, please do let us know via the Contact Us form at the top of the page.

• How can I add a new leader to my club?

  ​To generate a username and password for new members of staff, the new leader will firstly need to visit our website and click on the link 'Want to set up a FILMCLUB' , enter the school postcode, select YES when asked if you want to set up a new club,  answer the questions which follow and the new details will then be saved.
  
  Once they have registered, they will receive an email to the address supplied which contains a link. If the new leader clicks on this link they will be asked to confirm their details and be taken to the 'Book an Induction' page.
  
  If they shut down the browser or navigate away at this stage and then let us know this is all done by emailing support@filmclub.org, we can generate a username and password for your member of staff and merge your details together so each leader will see the FILMCLUB's past activity.

• Can I set up a second filmclub in my school?

  ​You can set up a second filmclub in your school for a different age group by visiting our website and clicking on the link 'Want to set up a FILMCLUB' , enter your postcode, select YES when asked if you want to set up a new club,  answer the questions which follow - your details will then be saved.
  
  Once you have registered, you will receive an email to the address supplied which contains a link. If you click on this link you will be asked to confirm your details and then be taken to the 'Book an Induction' page.
  
  You are more than welcome to attend an induction, in which case select the date you are interested in.
  
  Alternatively, if you are happy to manage your club without, shut down your browser or navigate away and then let us know you have done this by emailing support@filmclub.org and we can generate a username and password for your second club.

• What is an induction and who needs to attend?

  ​At the FILMCLUB induction you will be guided through how to set up a club in your school by one of our School Support Coordinators. This will include a session about what types of films we have on our website, how to keep students engaged as well as all the search tools and film information on our site and getting your students registering and writing reviews. It's also a chance to get some more information about how to use the facilities that you have to the best of your advantage.
  
  In terms of funding, we can't fund you for technical equipment but we do offer up to £300 for items that will enhance your screening area - bean bags, blackout material, popcorn makers etc. At the induction you will meet many other teachers in your area, receive a detailed information booklet, The Power of Film DVD as well as a pack of posters, membership cards and lanyards for your students.
  
  A teacher or teaching assistant will need to attend an induction but sixth-form helpers are also welcome and encouraged to attend so they can help run your film club.

• My school is not state-funded, can we join FILMCLUB?

  ​We would love to offer FILMCLUB free to every school but unfortunately, as our funding comes from the DCSF budget, we're not in a position to do so.
  
  However, we do have a limited number of non state school settings which you can apply for at an annual fee of £950 which covers all of the FILMCLUB benefits. This is a pro-rata fee which is actually going to be reduced to £650 from next April. If you would like more information, please email SUPPORT@FILMCLUB.ORG.

• I run a youth group, can I join FILMCLUB?

  ​We would love to offer FILMCLUB free to every youth group but unfortunately, as our funding comes from the DCSF Schools budget, we're not in a position to do so.
  
  However, we do have a limited number of non school settings which you can apply for at an annual fee of £950 which covers all of the FILMCLUB benefits. This is a pro-rata fee which is actually going to be reduced to £650 from next April. If you would like more information, please email support@filmclub.org.

• If I am not in a participating school, can I use the FILM CLUB website?

  Yes, you can use the areas of the website we have made available to non-members - but you can't order films.

• What equipment do we need?

  Ideally you will have a DVD player, a projector, a screen, and a sound system suitable for groups. If you need to discuss any technical issues, please get in touch with us.

• Can we get help to promote our film club and the films we are screening?

  Yes. Each participating school will get up to six A2 colour laminated posters for permanent display, downloadable templates to print A4 posters to promote films or seasons as well as 200 colour postcards to hand out.

• What do the film classifications mean?

  'U' - It is impossible to predict what might upset any particular child. But a 'U' film should be suitable for audiences aged four years and over. U films should be set within a positive moral framework and should offer reassuring counterbalances to any violence, threat or horror. Videos classified 'Uc' are particularly suitable for pre-school children.

  'PG' - Parental Guidance - General viewing, but some scenes may be unsuitable for young children. Unaccompanied children of any age may watch. A 'PG' film should not disturb a child aged around eight or older. However parents are advised to consider whether the content may upset younger or more sensitive children.

  '12/12A' - Suitable for 12 years and over. No-one younger than 12 may see a '12A' film in a cinema unless accompanied by an adult. No-one younger than 12 may rent or buy a '12' rated video or DVD. Responsibility for allowing under-12s to view lies with the accompanying or supervising adult.

  '15' - Suitable only for 15 years and over. No one younger than 15 may see a '15' film in a cinema. No one younger than 15 may rent or buy a '15' rated video or DVD.

  "E" - indicates that the distributor believes the work to be exempt from classification.

  Under the Video Recordings Act 1984, a video is an exempted work if it is designed to inform, educate or instruct; is concerned with sport, religion or music; or is a video game.

  However, if such a work, including video games, depicts human sexual activity or gross violence to any significant extent it will need a BBFC classification. In addition, video games which contain "linear" material (that is video footage) also have to be classified by the BBFC. The 'E' symbol is not an official symbol and does not have any legal standing. Nor is it a requirement that it should appear on video cassettes, unlike the BBFC classification symbols. Under the Video Recordings Act, the onus is on the distributor to decide whether or not a video work is an exempted work, and distributors have tended to put an 'E' symbol on tapes as guidance to the public. The BBFC does not examine exempted works and does not decide whether or not a work is exempt.
  

  You can find advice on films from other parents on the Parents BBFC website
  

  If you need any further guidance on classification generally, or about a single film in particular, please Contact Us.

• Can I be sure that the material on the website is suitable for my students age group?

  ​Our website is programmed to ensure that the trailers and film material available reflects the age of the person logged in. Therefore, when you are logged in you will be able to see trailers for films up to 15, but when the students are logged in they will only be able to see trailers for U and PG certificate films.
  
  It may be worth checking that your film clubbers have entered their correct age when they registered, you can do this by visiting your "Manage My Film Club" page. It is also worth noting that while the film may have a certain certificate, the trailer itself will often have a lower certificate.  The trailer for Beautiful Mind, for instance, is a PG.

• Can I be sure that my students will not be exposed to bad language in reviews?

  ​All reviews are instantaneously screened for inappropriate language by an automated filter as they are uploaded. This filter picks up and blocks over 100 common swear words.
  
  In addition to this, our team of Schools Coordinators read all new reviews once a week to select Reviewers of the Week and to generally monitor the review section of the site. Any language likely to cause offence is removed immediately.
  
  We also add to the filter regularly because with 2,400 after school clubs screening to 55,000 children and young people, some 'creative' ways of constructing obcenities do succeed in dodging the filter. Once identified, these words and acronyms are added to our automated list and will be picked up straight away if they are ever used again.

• Can you add new films to the site on request?

  ​We do receive a lot of requests for adding films and unfortunately we can't always meet them but if you would like to email your suggestion to support@filmclub.org it will be forwarded to the film programming team. In the meantime, if you have a copy yourself, please feel free to screen it.

• I have a schedule of films I would like to show. Can you guarantee which films will be delivered next?

  ​Unfortunately we are not able to guarantee which title you will receive next as this is dependent on Lovefilm's stock levels. However, you can prioritise your orders by visiting your order list and clicking on view all. Here you can mark your films as low, medium or high. If you are very keen to show a specific film, do let us know by emailing support@filmclub.org and we may be able to send a copy from the office library.

• I've lost my return envelope. Can I still send my films back?

  ​All you need to do is pop the films into an envelope and send them back to lovefilm free of charge to:
  
  FREEPOST RRAZ-ZJJS-XESH
  LOVEFiLM UK Limited
  Peterborough
  PE2 6UG

• Will my school have to pay for the PVS licence which allows us to screen films in our school?

  ​If your school doesn't already hold a licence we will take on that cost for you. 
  
  

• What does the licence cover?

  ​The PVS licence covers films screened on the school premises listed on the PVS certificate screened to students from that school. Staff from that school are covered by the licence to help out at the club as well as a couple of filmclub adult helpers who might be parents or volunteers.

• I am a parent at the school, can I run the filmclub on their behalf?

  ​You are very welcome to run the club as a parent but you will need the support of the Head Teacher which includes a copy of our FILMCLUB agreement signed by them.

• The link to download forms which was emailed to me is not working, can I download them from anywhere else?

  ​You can download forms by visiting http://www.filmclub.org/assets/pdf/applicationforms.pdf
  

• Can I charge an entry fee for my filmclub or organise one as a fundraiser?

  ​Unfortunately, due to the terms of the licence you are not allowed to charge for entrance to the film club. However, some clubs charge a nominal fee for drinks and snack

• How do I apply for the microbank funding as mentioned in the induction and what does it cover?

  ​You can apply for a maximum of £300 through microbank funding once your club has been up and running for about half a term.
  
  The application can be for anything that will help toward your film club being a success, such as bean bags, cushions, a popcorn maker or travel and tickets to a cinema screening or a film related event.  However, it can't be used for technical equipment.
  
  Once your club has been up and running for about half a term, drop a line to your regional coordinator, or email support@filmclub.org and we will send you a form.