Beyond entertainment, film can be a powerful tool for reaching and instructing children. When approached thoughtfully, media can be a valuable educational tool. There are several ways that film can benefit children.
Media has an incredible opportunity to educate, even when children don’t realize they’re learning. Through film, kids can make connections and understand things in a way that simple instruction can’t always pull off. Films also expose kids to different cultures and ideas and can have a powerful impact on how they understand and empathize with others.
Like most stories, films can make kids think deeply about moral and ethical issues. Oftentimes in films, we see characters experience and resolve conflict, or navigate intricate relationships and confusing situations. Seeing these things play out on screen can help kids think through some puzzling and difficult problems and even point them to moral truths.
And lastly, films can serve as fantastic conversation starters with kids. As media present themes and questions, there are open doors to discuss the topics at hand with your children, answer questions and help them process what they’ve watched.
We’ve put together some free films available at jesusfilm.org and our YouTube channel that you can use to teach and entertain kids. Follow along, and you’ll find some gems you can use in a number of helpful ways.
Chosen Witness
Style: Animated
Length: 9:25
Translations: 42 languages available
jesusfilm.org link: Chosen Witness
YouTube link: Chosen Witness
Chosen Witness tells the story of Jesus through the eyes of Mary Magdalene. There is a lot packed into this short film, making it really powerful and thought-provoking, and the animation style appeals to viewers into adulthood.
Even though it’s animated, it might be a little intense for viewers younger than eight. The crucifixion scene isn’t graphic, but some younger kids might struggle with it.
This video is perfect for Sunday School or youth groups—even for older kids. It allows them to experience the gospel from a specific character’s perspective, which can be an essential part of learning to read the gospels and see passages from the vantage points of various individuals.
The Story of Jesus for Children
Style: Live action
Length: 61 minutes
Translations: 186 languages available
jesusfilm.org link: The Story of Jesus for Children
YouTube link: The Story of Jesus for Children
The Story of Jesus for Children takes the popular JESUS film and turns it into a story narrated by children for children. It follows some first-century kids who are caught up in the stories of this Messianic figure that everyone in Jerusalem is talking about.
While watching this film, kids get to see other children like them puzzle through what they’re seeing and hearing about Jesus and what it means in their lives. The end of the film offers a thoughtful invitation to viewers to put their faith in Jesus.
This video is a powerful tool for introducing kids of all ages to Jesus, and since it’s available in so many different languages, it makes for a wonderful outreach tool for kids.
StoryClubs
Style: Live action
Length: This is a series of 13 episodes, each averaging about two minutes
Translations: 187 languages available
jesusfilm.org link: StoryClubs
Kids around the world® partnered with Jesus Film Project® to turn The Story of Jesus for Children into 13 lessons. You can download the lessons from this link. These StoryClub lessons follow a helpful template:
- Opening
This is a question that gets kids sharing their personal stories. - Background
Sets the context for the story and provides any necessary information - Tell the story
This is where each of the StoryClub videos come in - Retell
Get the children to retell the story in their own words - Discover and response questions
Pray about the lesson and engage the kids with thoughtful questions
File Zero
Style: Animated
Length: This is a series of 15 episodes, each under five minutes
Translations: 12 languages available
jesusfilm.org link: File Zero
YouTube link: Not sure if there is a YouTube link we want to use for this
The “File Zero” series tells a dystopian story about a group of brave hackers fighting against a dictator called “The Elder.” The Elder has encrypted all the files pertaining to human history, ensuring that humanity stays under the control of the authoritarian surveillance program called “The System.”
This series appeals to kids who may be familiar with a broader range of programming for young people. It’s exciting, fun, and intense, encouraging kids to think deeply about spiritual issues. The short run times (averaging about 3.5 minutes) make File Zero perfect for pre-teen youth groups. The videos won’t eat up a lot of gathering time while encouraging critical, thoughtful conversations.
Retelling the Good Story
Style: Animated
Length: Three videos, each under six minutes
Translations: English
jesusfilm.org link: Retelling the Good Story
YouTube link: Retelling the Good Story
The “Retelling the Good Story” series has been produced in close partnership with the First Nations Version of the New Testament with the goal of telling Jesus’ story to First Nations people. These videos recount the biblical stories of Jesus feeding the 5,000 and walking on water in a way contextualized for Native American viewers.
But apart from their stated goal of communicating with and reaching out to native people, these videos stand alone as moving retelling of gospel stories. The animation is breathtaking, and the content is fresh and engaging—especially for kids who are really familiar with Jesus’ story and could benefit from seeing it through different eyes.
Some appropriate short films
You don’t need to rely on feature-length films or series to make an impact on kids. Short films can have a real impact and lead to remarkable conversations. To get the most out of using short films with children:
- Select age-appropriate films
This is about more than making sure there isn’t any questionable content. You want to make sure that they resonate with the right age group. The things that might be relevant to high schoolers might go over the heads of junior high kids. - Prepare ahead of time
You might be tempted to wing it, but short films can require different kinds of preparation. A lot of films suitable for kids make the message extremely obvious, but short films can be a little different. Sometimes the filmmaker’s goal is to get people thinking and talking. So you might need to watch the film several times to digest different perspectives and ideas. - Ask engaging and insightful questions
If you want to really stimulate conversation, you need two different kinds of questions. You need open-ended ones that give kids an opportunity to think critically, and you also need specific questions to help guide them to understand the film’s intent.
But it all starts with open-ended questions like:- What did you like or dislike about this film?
- What did you learn about the characters?
- What do you think the film was trying to communicate?
- What was the central conflict in the film? Was it resolved? How?
- How did the film make you feel?
Here are some short films that, with some care and direction, can really have an impact on how your kids think about themselves and the world.
My Last Day
Style: Animated
Appropriate age group: 13+
Length: 9:13
Translations: 276 languages available
jesusfilm.org link: My Last Day
YouTube link: My Last Day
This short film tells the crucifixion story through the eyes of the repentant thief who was crucified next to Jesus. The animation style feels very connected to traditional anime, and in keeping with that style, it doesn’t shy away from the violence inherent in the crucifixion. So it’s important to give it a watch and ensure that it isn’t too intense for the children who will be watching it.
Where You Belong
Style: Live-action
Appropriate age group: 8+
Length: 1:30
Translations: 3 languages available
jesusfilm.org link: Where You Belong
YouTube link: Where You Belong
The short film Where You Belong is ideal for more sports-oriented kids. Using a football/soccer analogy, the film helps kids think about how God is focused on them. The message inspires kids to think about the way God wants to use them and to lean into His purpose for their lives.
Blue
Style: Animated
Appropriate age group: 8+
Length: 4:08
Translations: No dialogue
jesusfilm.org link: Blue
YouTube link: Blue
At one time or another, most kids know what it feels like not to fit in. And every child needs to learn how to be more empathetic to others who feel the same way. In Blue, an Iranian filmmaker offers a touching, dialogue-free take on what it looks like to be displaced and how it feels to make new connections.
Perfect?
Style: Live action
Appropriate age group: 10+
Length: 2:26
Translations: 178 languages available
jesusfilm.org link: Perfect?
Perfect? portrays a young girl receiving a doll she’s been looking forward to receiving. With the doll comes all the expectations placed upon us by society, media, and even those we love. As she tries to build the perfect doll, everything comes apart—until she discovers the thing that makes all the difference.
Younger viewers might struggle to squeeze all the meaning from this film without help, so keep that in mind as you consider it.
Medley
Style: Animated
Appropriate age group: 5+
Length: 1:59
Translations: No dialogue
jesusfilm.org link: Medley
YouTube link: Medley
This delightful film features a bowl of perfectly harmonized singing fruit. So what happens when a foreign fruit is introduced? This beautifully illustrates the unity that can be found when everyone is allowed to use their own gifts, and the message is communicated in a way that even the youngest children can understand.
Invisible
Style: Live action
Appropriate age group: 10+
Length: 3:37
Translations: No dialogue
jesusfilm.org link: Invisible
YouTube link: Invisible
In a world full of adults, kids know what it’s like to feel invisible. So a short film focused on how invisible houseless people can feel is something kids can easily grasp. They don’t have to overcome cultural barriers and prejudices to feel empathy toward others—and this film really helps them connect with those feelings.
Delight
Style: Live action
Appropriate age group: 8+
Length: 1:23
Translations: No dialogue
jesusfilm.org link: Delight
YouTube link: Delight
In Delight, kids will watch a chef painstakingly create a beautiful dessert, and then watch it be destroyed in an alarming fashion. They’ll understand the idea of working hard on something only to have it wrecked, but they might take a little guidance to understand the filmmaker’s point.
Check out our complete list of short films
We have more than 60 short films available on jesusfilm.org. Not all of them will be appropriate for younger kids, but you’ll find many more that will speak to your family or Sunday school. Visit our website to check them out now.
