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No Bullies, Please!

Get the conversation started about bullying with these engaging film programs for Pre-K & K and grades 1-8, featuring relatable situations and familiar stories that will spark lively and constructive dialogue.

All films are official selections from the Chicago International Children’s Film Festival, and all programs include an introduction and post-screening discussion led by one of our trained media educators. Curriculum aligned with the Common Core is also provided to teachers prior to the day of screening.

Flexible scheduling throughout the day – come to us or let us come to you! For details about screenings at Facets Multi-Media, click here. For details about screenings at your location, click here. To book your group please contact fldtrips@facets.org or (773) 281-9075 ext. 3009.

CLICK HERE to access our Anti-Bullying Resource Page 

Programs Available:

New Friends on the Block
Animated/Live-action Shorts Program
Grades PreK & Kindergarten (Ages 2-5)

World language films are screened with English subtitles read aloud.
75-minute program includes media education 

Themes: Recognizing feelings of others; empathy; sharing;  tolerance, respect; recognize differences; identifying boundaries, communication; playing well with others, including others in play. 

“New Friends on the Block” – Program Description (PDF)   

Empathy can be easy peasy! The first step is learning to share and include others in play. The characters in these short films know we are all different, but they find ways to get along and share in the fun.Mops and Ollie are fast friends – until Mops stops playing with his pal and turns instead to his electronic device. Will this new diversion come between them? In another short, Tip the Mouse has a cool new telescope to show Chipmunk Jody. But when Jody’s playtime is focused with others, Tip announces “you’re not my friend any more!”  Remembering to respect each other’s feelings and allow others in on the fun is the best game of all. Learn to share, as well as to understand and respect differences with the characters in these animated films!          

Sesame Workshop: “New Friends” (Canada)
Sharing (USA)
Tip the Mouse: “You’re Not My Friend Any More” (Italy/Germany)
Strange Encounters of the Friendly Kind: “Spiky Ones” (Germany)
Don’t Give Up (USA)
Zebra (Germany)
Black Sheep (Croatia)
Lambs (Germany)
Fitting In (Canada)
Diversity (USA)
Mops & Ollie (USA)
Mouse for Sale (Belgium)
Molly Monster: “New Toy” (Germany)
Meatballs and the Sorry Bullies (Sweden)

 

Sticks and Stones…and Other Stories
Animated/Live-action Shorts Program
Grades K-2 (Ages 5-8)

World language films are screened with English subtitles read aloud. 75-minute program includes media education 

Themes:  Self-expression for channeling conflict resolution/anger management; deflecting taunts; saying sorry; learning empathy & helping when someone else needs it; stepping up, not be a bully bystander – gestures can be as important as words). Saying what you mean.

The characters in this collection of short films know that while words are powerful,words will need not hurt them Sometimes no words are necessary and a gesture of inclusion is all it takes to communicate. These characters figure out ways to turn a situation or a preconception around. In one film, a goofy monster learns how to say “sorry” like he means it when he makes a mistake. In another short, when undersea creatures deflect a crabby crustacean’s comments on a daily basis, can they still decide to help him, once he’s in trouble himself? These characters know words and actions help each other do the right thing.

Left Out (USA)
Bunny New Girl (Australia)
Trude’s Flatmate: “Digger” (Germany)
Peanut Butter and Jellyfish (USA)
Tip the Mouse: “Tall Tales” (Italy/Germany)
Each Kindness (USA)
The Pencil That Didn’t Know How to Write (Portugal)
Story of Percival Pilts, The (Australia/New Zealand)
Macropolis (Northern Ireland)

Do Unto Otters
Animated/Live-action Shorts Program
Grades 1-3 (Ages 5-9)

World language films are screened with English subtitles read aloud.
75-minute program includes media education 

Themes:   Recognizing feelings and perspectives of others; individual and group similarities and differences; Recognize the existence of various groups based on social and cultural variables (e.g., age, race, ethnicity, shared interests, and disability).ways cultural groups differ from one another (e.g. holidays, foods, customs); empathy; what is a bully bystander; social bullying (being excluded); sense of shared community; sharing with others; identifying unwelcome teasing behaviors; identifying adults to turn to in bullying situations.

Feeling left out is tough. That’s why it’s so great when someone remembers to include a new person in playtime. When Alli’s big sister and her bestie exclude her from play, it’s the younger sister who shows them a way they can all join in the fun. In another short, a boy stands his ground against the mean girls who make fun of his stocking cap. He knows who someone older to turn to, to put the positive route. Lastly, shy new girl in class Annabel just wants to hide from her classmates, until Bethany includes her with one simple gesture. When we appreciate each other’s differences and to involve others in activities, it makes our world a better place.                                                  

Left Out (USA)
Macropolis (Northern Ireland)
No, No, No! – The Hat (Finland)
Play Lunch (Australia)
Gorilla (Finland)
Do Unto Otters (A Book About Manners) (USA)
Frenemy (Germany)
Bunny New Girl (Australia)

Actions Speak Louder  

Animated/Live-action Shorts Program
Grades 3-5 (Ages 8-11) 

All world language films will be screened with English subtitles.
90-minute program includes media education.

Themes: Recognize personal qualities and external supports. Recognize feelings and perspectives of others. Demonstrate strategies for resisting negative peer pressure. Demonstrate decision-making skills and responsible behaviors in school. Practice aligning non-verbal and verbal communication in refusing unwanted behavior. Recognize how a situation would make you feel and treat others accordingly. Identify unwelcome teasing or bullying behaviors, Identify intervention strategies to stop bullying. Suggest ways of addressing personal grievances to avoid conflict. Analyze different approaches to dealing with conflict (e.g. avoidance vs compliance). Analyze why you may have to use different strategies for dealing with different conflict situations. Identify reliable adults from whom you would seek help in arious situations. Zero tolerance for bully bystanding behavior.

Sometimes it only takes one action to turn around a bullying situation. It’s not easy being different or being the new kid in school, and a little empathy can go a long way to help. In one film, When Nicolas, a wheelchair-bound child arrives at school, the other children think he’s strange. But that doesn’t stop classmate Maria from quickly becoming his best friend on the playground.  Then, what strategy does a new girl adopt when she perceives potential taunts before a class field trip? In the last film, Bethany recognizes new classmate Annabel can use a little help fitting in, setting an example with one small act. The characters in these live-action and animated short films “step it up” and have a positive influence on others with their actions. 

Left Out (USA)
Eyes on the Stars (USA)
Pineapple Head (England)
In a Heartbeat (Iceland)
Anatole’s Little Saucepan (France)
Strings (Spain)
The Boy with Chocolate Fingers (England)
Cats & Dogs (Germany/Switzerland)
Class Trip (Sweden)
Bunny New Girl (Australia)

Good Sports  
Animated/Live-action Shorts Program
Grades 4-6 (Ages 9-12) 

All world language films will be screened with English subtitles.
90-minute program includes media education.

Themes: Personal responsibility, stereotyping; conflict resolution; empathy; diversity; don’t be a bully bystander; identify bully targets. Pursuing hobbies and individual goals to strengthen self identity. Tolerance; Demonstrate graciousness in winning vs losing behaviors.

Besides scoring points, being a star on the team means leading by example. In one film set at a summer camp basketball game, the real points earned are tolerance and understanding.  In another film, a lifeguard competition has high stakes among the Iranian girls – but the real prize turns out to be learning compassion for a teammate. In the last short, Giovanni wants to be the first to excel at what’s perceived of as a “girl’s sport”, despite taunts, he lets nothing stand in his way!  Taking the high road is not easy, but that’s how you really win.                                                   

Soccer Scientists: “Fouls” (Germany)
The Basketball Game (Canada)
Number One (Germany)
Hear This! (Netherlands)
Beach Flags (France)
Giovanni and the Water Ballet (Netherlands)

Teasing & Texts  
Animated/Live-action Shorts Program
Grades 6-8 (Ages 11-14) 

All world language films are screened with English subtitles.
90-minute program includes media education.

Themes: Standing up to peer pressure; empathy, friendship, confidence. Indirect/verbal/psychological bullying: social media abuse, enforced social isolation, spreading rumors, intentional exclusion. Apply decision-making skills to deal responsibly with daily social situations. Describe how classmates who are the subject of rumors or bullying might feel. Analyze diversity and inclusion for those with different social/familial circumstances, disability, ethnicity, or size. Distinguish between bullying and nonbullying behaviors/situations. Discuss stereotyping and its negative impact on others. Discuss the roles of responsibility as victim, bystander, perpetrator, rescuer in a situation. How to report & intervene cyberbullying behavior.Sanding up to peer pressure; empathy, friendship, confidence. 

Words can hurt as badly as blows. In one film, Anni’s father discovers she’s been the victim of a mean name-calling text message. She finds that even though looking to him for the right answers is tough, it’s totally worth it. In another film, not only is Munya isolated as coming from another ethnic group, she is relentlessly teased for perceived body issues. Seeking inspiration from another adult outside the home provides her inspiration to stand up to bulllies, both in the neighborhood – and at home. In the last film, when she’s teased for her family’s financial circumstances, spunky Nicky takes the situation in hand with a class presentation and open discussion. The characters in these short films find strategies and strengths, and start to take control of their situations.                 

Tricks and Clicks: “How to Handle Internet Bullying” (Germany)
Appearance and Reality (Hungary)
Weekend Practice (Finland)
Specky Four Eyes (France)
Munya in Me (Netherlands)
Sprinkles 4-ever! (Netherlands)

Look Before You Leap    
Live-action/Animation Shorts Program
Grades 6-8 (Ages 11-14) 

All world language films will be screened with English subtitles.
90-minute program includes media education.

Themes: Recognizing bullying motivation (targets). Evaluate ways of dealing with being teased or left out. Distinguish between bullying and nonbullying situations. Ignore negative peer pressure.Identify strategies for avoiding risky behavior. Direct bullying (teasing/hitting) versus indirect bullying (isolation/noninclusion). Avoiding retaliation and dealing with peer conflict.

Don’t leap … to conclusions! Before making a choice about friends and cliques, make good judgments. The characters in these films make decisions on their own about fitting in. However, with hard decisions come consequences. In one film, Johan wants to be part of the cool boys’ group. He joins by taking part in a seemingly harmless prank – one that goes very wrong. In another film, Katriina really wants to fit in with the Cool Girls – but is confronted with an awkward choice. Does she make a good decision? In an Academy Award nominated film, CICFF favorite “The Dam Keeper” a quiet creature makes a new friend, an then an incorrect assumption – with catastrophic consequences. When tough issues present themselves, look before you leap! 

Eleven (New Zealand)
Cairn (Norway)
Boyfriend (Finland)
The Dam Keeper (USA)

No Labels, No Limits 

Animated/Live-action Shorts Program
Grades 6-9 (Ages 11-15) 

All world language films will be screened with English subtitles.
90-minute program includes media education

Themes: Tolerance/Respect; Identifying stereotyping based on gender, religion, disability, appearance; Recognizing feelings/perspectives of others; Recognizing individual differences; Investigate traditions of others; Confidence in Individuality; Hobbies and Identity-building strategies; Use communication skills and social skills to interact effectively with others. Importance for adult mentors for inspiration. 

The characters in these short films find confidence in their uniqueness. But appearances, disability, body size, cultural backgrounds, and religions can be targets for being judged and bullied. In one film, the characters in a race reject a newcomer from the country, despite demonstrated ability. Will someone come forward and not remain a bully bystander?  In another film, not only is Munya teased for her immigrant ways, but her size. She seeks inspiration from her favorite female artist to break out of their preconceptions. Reconnecting to her favorite hobby, Munya demonstrates to the gang once and for all that she owns her differences! In another film, a young sport enthusiast always comes in 2nd – turns out, that’s the best position in the race she’s in!    

Emmeline (England)
Specky Four Eyes (France)
Guri Gursjen & Gursjan Gru (Norway)
Beach Flags (France)
Scarves, Crosses, and Incense (Finland)
Munya in Me (Netherlands)
Marathon Diary (Norway)

All world language films will be screened with English subtitles.
90-minute program includes media education

Themes: Use communication and social skills to interact effectively with others. Demonstrate an ability to prevent, manage, and resolve interpersonal conflicts in constructive ways. Demonstrate empathy with others in a variety of situations and develop strategies to provide support to others experiencing the same problems. Use verbal and non-verbal strategies to resolve group conflict. Identify strategies to cope with negative outcomes of war/relocation/trauma); Respecting differences of gender, religion, culture, immigrant status. 

Taking control of emotions can feel complicated. Identity and the sense of place can be confusing. How can one be an  “enemy” in one’s own home? The characters in these short films face the challenges of life on their own terms.  In one film, a competition is high among the girls, but the real prize turns out to be inclusion and compassion as teen girls overcome norms  by providing mutual support. In another film, a reserved and withdrawn teen, Yussef is often bullied by his classmates. In threat of being expelled from his school for his often hostile and disengaged behavior, Yussef is implored by his teacher to express his emotions and share the day that changed his life through a class assignment. The characters in thes stories find ways through word and deed to show the meaning of self-reflection, identity, strength, communication, and compassion. Included: 2016 Oscar-nominated “Bear Story”!

Alpha Beta Complex (Canada)
Why Banana Snarls (Russian Federation)
Bear Story (Chile)
No Fish Where to Go (Canada)
Beach Flags (France)
Yussef is Complicated (England)