The Educational screen (c1922-c1956])

The Chicago Fihn Council in its World Film Festival sponsored two programs dealing with International Relations . . . one on International Interdependence and one on Peoples and Lands of the World. The winning films in these important categories were then shown in the Surf Theater to thousands of people. The New York Film Council recently conducted a film forum based on International Relations, led by Gordon Halstead, who had just completed a series of film forums for the Carnegie Foundation for International Peace. Mr. Halstead based his discussion on Round Trip ... a new film on international trade. This same film is being used throughout the country by other groups as a spearhead to promote widespread understanding of this most vital problem of all peoples and nations. The Knoxville, Tennessee, Film Council is organized as one section of a larger committee on Public Information. Its purpose is to provide a community-wide service to disseminate all types of information on important current affairs. Realizing that the motion picture is our basic language for international understanding, it has been the goal of the Dallas Film Council to reach all adult organizations in the City. This local council, working with the League of Women Voters during the recent Texas State Fair, presented a series of films on International Understanding. Thousands of people from all over the State saw these films. During Atomic Energy Week, the same group sponsored a film program on Atomic Energy for each day throughout the observance. Helping Adult Groups There is a growing interest among other groups who are working with the FCA. More and more, such groups as the Parent-Teacher organizations, churches, industry, service clubs, and welfare associations are looking to the local film councils in their communities for leadership in planning and presenting worthwhile programs on our world problems. These groups also look to the local councils for presentation of timely informative films on such local problems as adult education, public health and welfare, delinquency, civic and municipal activities, and other topics to be acted upon for improved community living. Helping Young People Not only are adult groups being stimulated by the FCA. Film councils for college students and for children, both in schools and churches, are organized. These young people are learning the problems of their communities and the importance of developing world understanding. They are learning why there must be tolerance and the value of enlightenment. In the film councils for youths, they are given the opportunity to discuss these problems that make up our complex world of today. Because they have the privilege through informative films to see . . . and then freely discuss conditions that can either bring peace or chaos to our world, they are being developed today for leadership tomorrow. The 16mm sound projectors owned by schools, churches, clubs, homes and others take selected messages to specific audiences wherever people meet for a serious purpose. The Film as a Weapon for Peace Our war experience set a pace and a pattern for maximum effective distribution and use of the informational film for both community and school groups. The specialized and general libraries, commercial and public libraries, agricultural extension service libraries, the school and home libraries have learned to work together. They have become aware of their public service responsibilities to serve the entire community in peace as in war. This war-created harmony has been strength They See . . . Hear . . . Discuss . . . and Work , . . for World JJndersUinilingl One of the local film councils affiliated with The Film Council of America. Since the motion picture is one of our most powerful media for international understanding, it has been the goal of the Dallas Film Council, shown here, to reach all adult organizations in the city. 178 Educafional Screen