Major Study Praises Film School

VANCOUVER, Aug. 22, 2012 /CNW/ - A three-year study of The Gulf Islands Film and Television School (GIFTS), published by the International Journal of Education and the Arts, concludes the Galiano Island facility is a transformative place.

The study, funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada and authored by Professors Kit Grauer and Ching-Chiu Lin from UBC and Juan Carlos Castro from Concordia University, describes GIFTS as a new kind of learning community that brings together elements of cooperation, collaboration, empowerment, social engagement, identity, and media arts.

"GIFTS unique structure and program can offer a model for creating an authentic, engaging learning environment for arts education practice", says Dr. Grauer. "It is a transformative place, not only for the students but for the mentors themselves. It is neither a traditional schooling environment nor a professional film set, but something in-between".

Founded in 1995, GIFTS offers week-long media programs for youth taught by award-winning professionals. Initially a summer focus, the five acres of coastal rainforest now teems with  young creative energy much of the year. Springtime is dedicated to school groups. Entire classes, grades 6 and up, travel from BC and beyond to participate in this new learning model.

Films created by students at GIFTS have won 137 awards at national and international festivals.

___________________________________________________________

Active Links:

1. to main page of site-www.giftsfilms.com
2. to study                   -http://www.ijea.org/v12si1/v12si1-8.pdf
3. to galianoisland.com             -http://www.galianoisland.com/
4. to mentor page on GIFTS site  -http://www.giftsfilms.com/the-school/staff/
5. to GIFTS YouTube channel   -http://www.youtube.com/user/giftsfilmsfeature=results_main

Image with caption: "Major Study Praises Film School (CNW Group/Gulf Islands Film & Television School)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120822_C8690_PHOTO_EN_17137.jpg

SOURCE: Gulf Islands Film & Television School

For further information:

George Harris
President
Gulf Islands Film and Television School
[e-mail]

Dr. Kit Grauer,
Associate Professor of Curriculum and Pedagogy
University of British Columbia
[e-mail]