“Inclusion in Action”: An Evaluation of a Film Education Program Implemented in Mainstream and Special Education Schools

Abstract

The educational program Inclusion in Action was implemented during the 2023-2024 school year in mainstream and special education schools in Athens, as well as at the Hellenic Film Archive, with the aim of strengthening a culture of inclusion within the school and broader social contexts. The program was designed by the Athens International Children’s and Youth Film Festival Organization and consisted of two phases: preparatory classroom workshops and film screenings at the Hellenic Film Archive. The workshops introduced students to approaches to disability through interactive exercises and empathy-based activities. Subsequently, students participated in joint film screenings that were accessible through Subtitles for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing (SDH), Greek Sign Language (GSL) interpretation, audio description, and sensory adaptations. The evaluation of the program was based on systematic observation, individual semi-structured interviews with teachers, and focus group interviews with the program designers. The findings led to improvements in implementation and highlighted the importance of promoting inclusion through the art of cinema.