EDUCATION
Registration now open for Fall 2026!
CREATE. CONNECT. COLLABORATE.
At the Barrymore, we believe film is one of the most powerful tools for learning. Every screening, workshop, discussion, and hands-on project encourages participants to think critically and express themselves creatively.
Our programs blend artistic exploration, historical context, technical skills, and collaborative learning in an environment that welcomes curious minds of every age and experience level.
Whether you're creating your first short film, developing professional media skills, or exploring cinema as a lifelong learner, Barrymore Film Center offers opportunities to learn, create, and grow.
EXPLORE OUR PROGRAMS:
Hands-on programs for students in grades 3–12 exploring filmmaking, acting, screenwriting, and visual storytelling.
Engaging courses in film appreciation, mobile filmmaking, media literacy, critical analysis, and contemporary media topics.
Career-focused training and professional development opportunities designed to prepare participants for careers in media.
A LEARNING EXPERIENCE LIKE NO OTHER
Learning doesn't happen in isolation. At the Barrymore Film Center, we bring together students, artists, educators, filmmakers, and lifelong learners to become part of a creative community that continues beyond the classroom.
As a working cinema, museum, and cultural center, the Barrymore offers learning opportunities that extend beyond a traditional classroom. Participants experience film where it is screened, exhibited, discussed, and celebrated, creating meaningful connections between creative practice, history, and community.
Our instructors bring experience from across the film, media, and creative industries, creating programs that are engaging, approachable, and rooted in real-world practice. They encourage exploration, collaboration, and lifelong curiosity, from introducing foundational concepts to guiding advanced creative work. Learners engage directly with instructors, collaborate with peers, ask questions, experiment with new ideas, and receive personalized feedback throughout the learning process.
AFTER-SCHOOL CREATIVE MEDIA LAB
An introduction to filmmaking for younger students through storytelling, camera basics, performance, and simple video production exercises.
Tuesdays, 4:00-5:30 pm | Sept. 22 - Nov. 10 | 3rd-5th grade (ages 8-11)
Required Equipment: cell phone/tablet with camera
Required Skills: basic familiarity with cell phone/tablet camera
Students use key principles of visual storytelling to develop confidence and communication skills through presentation exercises, interviews, public speaking activities, and media-facing communication techniques.
Thursdays, 4:00-5:30 pm | Sept. 24 - Dec. 3 (no classes on Nov. 5 and Nov. 26) | 9th-12th grades (ages 14-18)
Required Equipment: none
Required Skills: none
Students learn the fundamentals of storytelling for film and television, including character development, dialogue, scene writing, and visual narratives.
Mondays, 4:00 - 5:30 | Sept. 28 - Nov. 16 | 6th-8th grades (11-14 years old)
Required Equipment: none
Required Skills: grade-level reading and writing
This two-day intensive is an introduction to filmmaking for younger students through storytelling, camera basics, performance, and simple video production exercises.
Thursday, Nov. 4 and Friday, Nov. 5 | 10:00 am - 3:30 pm | 5th-8th grades (10-14 years old)
Required Equipment: cell phone/tablet with camera
Required Skills: basic familiarity with cell phone/tablet camera
Students develop on-camera acting skills through scene work, improvisation, character exercises, and performance techniques designed specifically for film and television.
Mondays, 4:00-5:30 pm | Sept. 28 - Nov. 16 | 6th-8th grades (11-14 years old)
Required Equipment: none
Required Skills: grade-level reading
Explore the basics of documentary filmmaking by creating an oral history of the many thriving immigrant communities that make up Fort Lee and greater Bergen County. Free for Fort Lee High School students.
Wednesdays, 4:00-5:30 pm | Sept. 23, 2026 - June 2, 2027 | 9th-12th grade (14-18 years old)
Required Skills: Basic familiarity with cell phone/tablet video and editing capabilities
Required Equipment: Cell phone/tablet capable of filming and using editing apps.
ADULT FILM & MEDIA LEARNING
Learn how filmmakers use camera movement, editing, lighting, sound, performance, and visual composition to tell stories. Through screenings and guided discussion, participants develop a deeper understanding of cinematic language and visual storytelling.
Tuesdays, 6:30 - 8:00 pm | Sept. 22 - Nov. 10 | Ages 18+
Required Equipment: none
Required Skills: none
An introduction to filmmaking for adult learners, using free resources to explore storytelling, camera and editing basics, performance, and simple video production exercises on your own iPhone/iPad. (Apple/iOS only.)
Mondays, 6:30 - 8:00 pm | Sept. 28 - Nov. 16 | Ages 55+
Required Equipment: cell phone/tablet with camera
Required Skills: none
This seminar presents an examination of how modern media shapes perception, identity, and public opinion. Topics include media literacy and digital awareness, algorithms, social media, influencer culture, advertising, misinformation, AI-generated media, and digital persuasion. This seminar will be offered twice during the semester.
Date 1: Wednesday, October 14 | 6:30-8:00 pm
Date 2: Wednesday, November 18 | 6:30-8:00 pm
Required Skills: none
Required Equipment: none
Age Requirement: 18+
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY
A hands-on introduction to working as a production assistant in film, television, and commercial production. Students learn set etiquette, terminology, production paperwork, walkie communication, lockups, and the structure of professional productions. This training will be offered twice during the semester.
Date 1: Saturday, October 10 and Sunday, October 11, 10:00-3:30 pm
Date 2: Saturday, November 21 and Sunday, November 22, 10:00-3:30 pm
Required Skills: basic familiarity with film production
Required Equipment: none
Age Requirement: 18+
This seminar is an insider introduction to the many careers that make film and television possible. Featuring different industry professionals discussing their roles, career paths, workflows, and how departments collaborate during production. This seminar will be offered twice during the semester.
Date 1: Wednesday, October 7 | 6:30-8:00 pm
Date 2: Wednesday, December 9 | 6:30-8:00 pm
Required Skills: none
Required Equipment: none
Age Requirement: 18+
Read the Barrymore Film Center’s Education Policies and Procedures.