Miriam El Abbassi | Arts Editor
Featured Image: There is an inherent value in having such a diverse catalogue so readily accessible to the student body. | Nathan Minsberg
As of recently, York has purchased a full subscription to the streaming service Film Platform, a site that supplies critically-acclaimed films for all students and faculty to observe, on and off campus. The films chosen tackle important and prevalent issues, aiming to provoke debate and inspire change.
There are many benefits to having a widely accessible service of this nature, as Nathan Minsberg, director of content & outreach at Film Platform, goes on to explain: “There is no denying the power of visual content in today’s culture, especially among the young adult demographic. In order to expand academic curriculums and out-of-class events to match today’s landscape, Film Platform is aiming to enhance the pedagogical value of cinema-viewing, by offering premium films like this year’s Oscar-nominated RBG.”
Minsberg then goes on to describe how Film Platform creates a more interactive learning experience, by providing extensive additional learning material, such as study guides and director’s notes, “bookmarking, sharing and integration with learning management systems as well as subtitles and MARC records further integrate film viewing into the wider university landscape.”
Film Platform’s catalogue features a wide variety of topics, including human rights, legal studies, environmental studies, arts and culture, architecture, politics, gender studies, sociology, LGBTQ+ studies, and technology and social work. The collection includes films in over 40 languages, as well as films that have already been screened on many university campuses around the world. Many Oscar-winning films and nominees, as well as many other highly acclaimed works, also make an appearance in the catalogue.
There is an inherent value in having such a diverse catalogue so readily accessible to the student body (whether the students be in film programs, or otherwise), as Minsberg explains: “Students need to be exposed to learning that is practiced in the context of their authentic social and culture activity. Film uses visual and auditory channels to present information in an engaging manner. and those are tools that can be used for a variety of needs: support and help with how to do a task and access to knowledge to help user find information needed.” Having technological tools that can be used in an educational context allows the student to have their learning become more individualized, therefore allowing them to work at their own pace.
Film Platform can be accessed at any time, on and off campus, and is a critical tool that many are not aware of. Whether you’re a member of the faculty hoping to gain more insight on a particular discipline, or just a student who is interested in a certain film, Film Platform will be able to service both of these needs.
