Number of units
17
Number of lessons
183
Duration
2 years
Level
Standard
About the course
Admissions processOverview
IB Film SL, part of the IB Diploma Programme’s Group 6: The Arts, develops students’ skills in both interpreting and creating film texts. The course combines practical film-making with the study of film history, theory and criticism, giving students the tools to understand cinema as an art form and a means of cultural expression.
Students analyse films from a variety of traditions and genres, exploring how cultural and historical contexts shape meaning. Alongside this, they take part in creative exercises that build technical skills in areas such as cinematography, editing and sound. The course fosters critical thinking, creativity and intercultural understanding - qualities central to the IB Learner Profile.
Studied online with Pamoja, IB Film SL is one of our most popular courses. Students benefit from the expertise of outstanding IB teachers and the opportunity to collaborate with peers worldwide, gaining valuable skills for further study and future careers in film, media and the arts.
Advice from our teachers
In order to succeed in IB Film SL, we recommend students set aside five to six hours a week. Students will need camera equipment (from a DSLR to a recent model phone with a strong camera) that has manual focus and a way to capture audio/video, a sturdy tripod and non-linear editing software such as iMovie, Final Cut or Premiere, as basic requirements. A lighting kit and recording device (handheld or microphone) would be excellent additions.
*Please note, that all courses offered are subject to receiving a minimum enrolment number. Your Pamoja point of contact will be in touch as we approach the start date if we are unable to take a course forward.
Course structure
The course covers the following topics:
Year 1:
- IB Film SL Course Overview
- The Magic Lantern
- There Was This Guy
- The Dark Side
- A Funny Thing Happened
- Single Vision
- Lenses of Truth
- We’ve Got Rhythm
- Shafts of Light
Year 2:
- Shafts of Light
- ME Watching You
- Breaking all the Rules
- The Human Heart
- This Town Ain’t Big Enough
- A New Set of Eyes
- To the Stars
- Final Take
Benefits of the course
Taking IB Film SL online will enable students to:
Resources
Explore and access key resources for the IB Film SL course.
Why online?
Students will have the opportunity to:
- Choose an art class that may not be offered at their school.
- Study alongside students from around the world.
- Exchange ideas with people from very different backgrounds.
- Use technology much more than in a face-to-face environment, especially in their communication tools.
- Add flexibility to their timetable.
Some things won’t be different though. Standards and expectations will be just as high as in a face to face classroom.
Activities and assessment
Every activity has its own assessment rubric but the IB Film mark bands will serve as the primary means of scoring. Students may create screenplays to later produce into film productions; create storyboards and other pre-production elements to previsualize their future productions; produce a video montage introducing a selected subject matter; create a one-minute video without dialogue that includes at least two characters and a dinner table; produce a chase sequence where a character transitions between different places and time periods that are unconnected in reality; create a spy film using foley recordings and original sound design; produce an experimental film where students can incorporate animation, visual effects, and sound design; write an essay analyzing how film language creates meaning in a five-minute extract from a film; produce a video essay comparing films or filmmakers from different cultures or periods in cinematic history.
Testimonials
What our schools say about us
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"The International School of WA is delighted to continue to work with Pamoja, who has supported us in providing a wide range of subjects for our International Baccalaureate students."
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"Pamoja has expanded our subject offerings with programs we couldn’t provide in-house, giving our students valuable opportunities through a reliable and trusted partner."
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"Heidelberg International School has proudly partnered with Pamoja since 2010, enabling us to offer IB subjects beyond our own curriculum and expanding our students’ choices; their teachers bring a vital human connection to online learning, and our students have consistently achieved excellent results through this collaboration."
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"Chatsworth is very pleased to be able to broaden the range of IB Diploma Programme subjects we can offer through our partnership with Pamoja. Knowing the students are taught and assessed by experienced IBDP teachers gives us the confidence to offer this opportunity."
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"Pamoja teachers are fully supportive of the diverse stresses and schedules students face. Learning to proactively and professionally communicate is arguably the most important learning outcome for Pamoja students."
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"Pamoja opens doors for our students to pursue subjects they are passionate about, helping them thrive in areas otherwise out of reach. The team’s support and clear communication make the experience smooth and impactful for everyone."
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"Ermitage International School of Paris is proud to collaborate with PAMOJA. The consistently high-quality and well-structured courses PAMOJA provides play a key role in helping our students pursue their ideal path toward the IB Diploma."
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"Pamoja has been extremely responsive and professional in our partnership. They have helped us to support students in a variety of situations, including those who have transferred in the middle of the IB Diploma, who have scheduling conflicts, or who have strong desire to study a course that we do not offer."
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"Pamoja online courses allow us to expand the range of subjects offered to our students enabling them to pursue subjects they are passionate about that are not currently available within our timetable. The courses also help foster independent learning; an invaluable skill helping students flourish as lifelong learners."
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"Pamoja has enabled us to broaden our subject option choices and provide invaluable support for Extended Essay supervision in popular subjects. As a result, our students have been able to select an individualised course profile which would not have been possible otherwise."
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"Pamoja has been a wonderful opportunity for our students to pursue passions and interests that we can’t offer as a small school. We have found the teachers to be consistently dedicated and support team to always respond with a human touch!"
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"Our partnership with Pamoja provides students with access to a wide range of IB subjects, ensuring greater academic breadth and choice. The online nature of these courses offers the flexibility our student-athletes need to pursue their studies effectively, even while away training or competing."
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"Pamoja has enabled us to expand our subject offerings to better address our students' language acquisition needs. Their highly responsive and accommodating teachers made us feel supported every step of the way."
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"For a school like ours, which is intentionally 'small by design,' Pamoja provides essential strategic flexibility. It allows us to supplement our DP course offerings, ensuring students interested in specialized or low-enrollment subjects can pursue their pre-university plans."
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The variety of subjects offered really allows the school to offer individual pathways for a wide range of students. Students completing a course on Pamoja strengthen the ATL of self-management and are ready for the next steps in life - university or employment.
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Pamoja unlocks opportunities for our students to pursue their passions beyond our high school's course catalog, opening doors to subjects like Economics and Psychology that would otherwise be unavailable to them.
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“Partnering with Pamoja has given our students greater flexibility in shaping their Diploma Programme journey. We value the supportive collaboration that allows us to broaden our course offering and meet diverse student needs.”
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"Working with Pamoja has been a transformative experience, offering quick, responsive service and a student-centred approach that prioritises individual needs and supports success in the IB DP subject."
