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As spring arrives, April brings an exciting mix of fresh cinematic adventures for young audiences and educators alike. This month's selection spans imaginative animation, gripping thrillers and thoughtful documentaries, offering rich opportunities for cultural discussion and creative exploration.
From galaxyspanning quests to tense realworld dilemmas and journeys into film history, these new releases invite young audiences to discover fresh perspectives through the excitement and refuge of a cinema experience. We've highlighted the most relevant and engaging films out this April to share with learners of all ages.
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie (PG) - in cinemas 1 April
Following the adventures of The Super Mario Bros. Movie, twin plumbers Mario and Luigi are now heroes of the Mushroom Kingdom, having imprisoned the mighty Bowser, King of the turtle-like Koopas. But when Bowser Jr. launches a daring plan to free his father, the brothers are sent on an unexpected journey across the galaxy. Joined by Princess Peach, Toad and their new friend Yoshi the dinosaur, they travel through strange new worlds and meet Princess Rosalina, protector of the cosmos. Together, they must stop Bowser Jr.'s growing threat before it plunges the universe into chaos. With plenty of references to the beloved Nintendo video game, this animated film blends adventure, humour and heart.
Fuze (15) - in cinemas 4 April
When a London construction crew uncovers an unexploded World War II bomb, the discovery triggers a fullscale emergency, forcing police and military teams to race against time to make the area safe. The police and military work to clear the area and bring in a special team to try to defuse the bomb. But amidst the chaos, a criminal gang moves into action, using the crisis as cover for an ambitious bank heist. Balancing suspense and moral complexity, this crime thriller follows intersecting storylines as alliances blur and moral boundaries are crossed.
California Schemin' (15) - in cinemas 10 April
This music biopic is based on the true story of Gavin Bain and Billy Boyd, two friends from Dundee, Scotland, who are passionate about hip-hop but struggle to be taken seriously by the British music industry of the late 1990s due to their accents and background. To break through, they boldly decide to pose as an American rap duo from California, calling themselves Silibil N' Brains. Their fake accents and backstory win them attention, a record deal and even moments alongside major artists, but as their fame grows the elaborate hoax begins to unravel, testing their friendship.
The Stranger (15) - in cinemas 10 April
Based on Albert Camus' novella 'L'Étranger' (1942), a key set text for French A-Level, this stylish black-and-white film explores themes of colonialism, authenticity and societal norms. In 1930s Algeria, a young French settler called Meursault seems to show emotional detachment and indifference at his mother's funeral. Soon after, he begins a relationship with his colleague Marie and gets dragged into a neighbour's altercation over an ex-lover. An inexplicable and fateful event then takes place one hot afternoon on a beach, and Meursault's moral standing and rationality brought into question.
The Wizard of the Kremlin (15) - in cinemas 17 April
Set in Russia during the turbulent years following the collapse of the Soviet Union, this political thriller is a fictionalised retelling of how Russia became an autocracy. The story follows Vadim Baranov, a talented young artist who becomes a realityTV producer and eventually the key spin doctor to rising political figure Vladimir Putin. As Baranov helps shape a new era of power blurring truth, media image and influence, he becomes entangled in a world of fragile loyalties and manipulation.
Kinaesthesia (15) - in cinemas 17 April
This lyrical documentary explores how early filmmakers used dreams to shape the emerging language of cinema. The film follows a dreamlike journey through striking landscapes and iconic clips from silent cinema, with commentary by the late Harvard Film Studies professor, Vlada Petrić. From French Impressionism and German Expressionism to Soviet montage, avant-garde experiments and classic comedy, the documentary reveals how pioneers like Murnau, Eisenstein, Buñuel and Chaplin used lighting, montage and visual trickery to mirror the sensations of dreaming.
How Do I Get Started?
To access Into Film+, all you'll need is an Into Film Account - it's completely free, and only takes a moment to set up. Into Film+ is free to use for all UK state schools that hold a valid Public Video Screening (PVS) Licence from Filmbankmedia.
Filmbankmedia PVS Licences are paid for on behalf of schools by all local authorities in England and by some local authorities in both Wales and Scotland. Into Film NI cover the license cost for some schools in Northern Ireland. For further information on licensing in your locality please see our FAQs.
If you're a state school in England that's funded by the Department for Education, you will automatically have access to Into Film+ Premium, which offers an extended catalogue of 900+ titles. Find out more about Into Film+ Premium in our FAQs.
If you don't have a PVS Licence, or aren't already covered, then a licence can easily be obtained from Filmbankmedia.
Filmbankmedia
Filmbankmedia licenses and distributes film and TV entertainment to many groups and is the licensing authority we work with to ensure schools, libraries and youth groups have the permissions to screen films from our catalogue.
Please note: Film is a powerful tool for learning, helping to develop critical thinking, empathy, and an understanding of different perspectives. Our films have been selected with consideration to age-appropriateness, safeguarding, the curriculum and statutory and non-statutory guidance to schools. Some of our films and resources include sensitive content which is highlighted in the guidance that Into Film provides with each film. Educators should carefully watch or read all elements of any content and must ensure they are following their own school's policies and guidelines prior to using films and resources in the classroom or in after-school clubs. The final decision to use any film or resource sits with teachers, who should decide what is appropriate for their students using their professional judgement and their knowledge of their students, their school context and their community. Teachers must follow their school's safeguarding protocol if a student is distressed or makes a disclosure as a result of the use of any film or other content.
* Screenings for an entertainment or extra-curricular purpose require a PVS (Public Video Screening) Licence from Filmbankmedia. State-funded schools in England are covered by the PVS Licence.
The core Into Film programme is free for UK state schools, colleges and other youth settings, thanks to support from the BFI, awarding National Lottery good cause funding, and through other key funders including Cinema First and Northern Ireland Screen.
