HOW TO REGISTER
- Check out the list of DocLands Education film programs below, and select the in-theater and/or online film screening(s) you would like your class(es) to attend or view.
- Click on the REGISTER NOW button, and fill out the form to let us know your film selections and how many students will take part.
- You may choose multiple films, but you must complete a separate registration form for each one.
- Once we receive your registration(s), we will contact you to confirm the details of your order, finalize any in-theater screening times as needed, and assist with any additional details or questions.
- We can offer a limited number of buses on a first come, first-served basis. Please specify your transportation needs when you register for your screenings.
Questions? Email us at education@cafilm.org
2025 DOCLANDS EDUCATION FILM PROGRAM
THE INVISIBLE MAMMAL
GRADES: 6-12
THEMES: Wildlife Conservation, Environmental Activism, Scientific Research, Biodiversity & Ecology
IN-THEATER: May 1 • 11:00 AM – 12:50 PM | Smith Rafael Film Center
ONLINE: April 28 –May 2 | Available to schools anywhere in the U.S.
ABOUT THE FILM
The Invisible Mammal delves into the unseen world of bats, creatures vital to our ecosystem yet often misunderstood. This feature-length documentary follows an all-female team of biologists in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula as they race against time to combat the devastating effects of white-nose syndrome, a disease that has decimated bat populations across North America.
Through intimate storytelling and stunning visuals, the film sheds light on the critical role bats play in maintaining ecological balance and the urgent need to protect them from extinction. Directed by award-winning filmmaker Kristin Tieche, The Invisible Mammal not only highlights the challenges bats face but also showcases the passionate individuals dedicated to their conservation.
Director: Kristin Tieche | US 2025 | 109 min
IN PERSON: Q&A with Director KRISTEN TIÈCHE
SPEAK.
GRADES: 6-12
THEMES: Public Speaking, Speech Competitions, Student Advocacy
IN-THEATER: May 2 • 10:00 AM – 11:45 AM | Smith Rafael Film Center
ONLINE: April 28 –May 2 | Available to schools anywhere in the U.S.
ABOUT THE FILM
Captivating audiences with spellbinding words and unshakable passion, SPEAK. follows five top-ranked high school seniors as they compete in the fiercely competitive world of national oratory championships. These students are storytellers, advocates, and visionaries. As they make their way through the highest rounds of competition, it becomes clear that their true power lies not in their technique but in their deeply personal perspectives on the world. Each competitor speaks from the heart, tackling issues that have shaped their lives.
Though the competitions bind them together, it is the contenders’ unique experiences shared through their fearless storytelling that set them apart on stage. Fueled by the desire to be heard, these students wield words like weapons, aiming not just to win but to leave an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of their listeners. SPEAK. takes us on a journey through the joys, pressures, and triumphs of students who have mastered the art of speech.
Directors: Jennifer Tiexiera, Guy Mossman | US 2025 | 104 min
IN PERSON: Q&A with Director Guy Mossman
REMAINING NATIVE
GRADES: 7-12
THEMES: Native Heritage, Generational Healing, Track & Field
IN-THEATER: May 2 • 10:30 AM – 12:20 PM | Smith Rafael Film Center
ONLINE: April 28 –May 2 | Available to schools anywhere in the U.S.
ABOUT THE FILM
In Remaining Native, 17-year-old Native American runner Ku Stevens embarks on a transformative journey, striving to fulfill his dream of becoming a collegiate athlete. As he trains, Ku confronts the haunting legacy of his great-grandfather, who, decades earlier, escaped from the oppressive Stewart Indian School by running 50 miles across the Nevada desert to reunite with his family.
This poignant documentary intertwines Ku’s present-day aspirations with his ancestor’s harrowing past, illuminating the enduring strength of cultural identity and the unbreakable bonds that connect generations. Through breathtaking landscapes and intimate storytelling, Remaining Native captures the resilience of a young man determined to honor his heritage while forging his own path forward.
Director: Paige Bethmann | US 2025 | 86 min
ADVISORY: This film examines the history of Native American boarding schools and includes references to mistreatment, systemic abuse, and cultural erasure. Viewer discretion is advised.
IN PERSON: Q&A with Film Advisor DAWN VALDEZ (BAVC)
DOCLANDS EDUCATION SHORTS
GRADES: 9-12
THEMES: Celebrating Cultural Heritage, Death Acceptance, Resilience, Healing
IN-THEATER: May 2 • 11:00 AM – 12:20 PM | Smith Rafael Film Center ONLINE ONLY: April 28 –May 2 | Available to schools anywhere in the U.S.
MIDDLETOWN
GRADES: 10-12 + College
THEMES: Journalism, Environmentalism, Civic Engagement, Teen Empowerment
IN-THEATER: May 5 • 10:00 AM – 12:10 PM | Smith Rafael Film Center
ONLINE: April 28 –May 2 | Available to schools anywhere in the U.S.
ABOUT THE FILM
In the early 1990s, a group of high school students in upstate New York, guided by their unconventional teacher, set out to create a simple student film. What they uncovered was a vast conspiracy: toxic waste was silently poisoning their community. Their documentary, Garbage, Gangsters, and Greed, not only exposed environmental corruption but also thrust these teenagers into the national spotlight as they confronted powerful entities responsible for the contamination.
Decades later, Middletown revisits these former students, now adults, as they reflect on their youthful activism, the impact of their revelations, and the enduring power of truth in the face of adversity. Directed by Jesse Moss and Amanda McBaine, acclaimed for Boys State and Girls State, this compelling documentary intertwines past and present, illustrating that the courage to speak out knows no age.
Directors: Jesse Moss, Amanda McBaine | US 2025 | 110 min
ADVISORY: This film contains some strong language, including occasional explicit words.
IN PERSON: Q&A with Directors Jesse Moss, Amanda McBaine and Film Subject Rachel Raimist