Cinema Classroom at the Avalon
A free program for 6th-12th grade classes, Cinema Classroom at the Avalon engages students in critical issues through screenings and expert-guided discussions.
Here at the Avalon Theatre, we are excited to engage DC students in critical issues through screenings and guided discussions. We invite DC educators to register for our Spring 2026 Cinema Classroom program, an offering of curated films and educational experiences that focus on pressing human rights and social justice issues.
If you are not already on our Cinema Classroom email list, we strongly recommend you sign up for updates.
2026 Spring Programs:
Cinema Classroom offers the following free programming to schools and students, grades 6-12:
Programs begin at 10:00am and run approximately 2 1/2 hours.
- Space is limited—advanced registration is required for all programs.
- Our FREE, in-theater programming welcomes 6th through 12th grade students.
- Register early to take advantage of our limited budget for free transportation.
- We offer expanded curriculum linked to DCPS standards in advance of each screening.
- Each film program includes a short introduction to film literacy and both pre-and post-screening workshops.
- As scheduling allows, each screening is followed by an expert-led discussion.
- Healthy snacks are provided.
Soundtrack for a Revolution
February 2, 2026
SOUNDTRACK FOR A REVOLUTION tells the story of the American civil rights movement through its powerful music—the freedom songs protesters sang on picket lines, in mass meetings, in paddy wagons, and in jail cells. Freedom songs evolved from slave chants, from the labor movement, and especially from the Black church. The music enabled Black Americans to sing words they could not say, and it was crucial in helping the protesters as they faced down brutal aggression with dignity and non-violence. The film features contemporary performances of the freedom songs by notable artists, riveting archival footage and interviews with civil rights foot soldiers and leaders. Documentary Running time: 82 min. View Trailer.
Dolores
March 2, 2026
DOLORES Huerta is among the most important, yet least known, activists in American history. An equal partner in co-founding the first farm workers unions with Cesar Chavez, her enormous contributions have gone largely unrecognized. Dolores tirelessly led the fight for racial and labor justice alongside Chavez, becoming one of the most defiant feminists of the twentieth century—and she continues the fight to this day, in her late 80s. Documentary Running time: 98 min. View Trailer.
Inocente
April 27, 2026
A 2013 Oscar Winner, INOCENTE is an intensely personal documentary about a young artist’s determination never to surrender to the bleakness of her surroundings. At 15, Inocente refuses to let her dream of becoming an artist be caged by her life as an undocumented immigrant forced to live homeless for the last nine years. Documentary Running Time: 40 min. View Trailer.
Ain’t No Back to a Merry-Go-Round
April 28, 2026
Five Black students rode a segregated carousel in 1960, igniting one of the earliest organized interracial civil rights protest in US history. AIN’T NO BACK TO A MERRY-GO-ROUND is the untold story of the Jews they marched with, Nazis they provoked, Congressmen they inspired, and Civil Rights leaders they became. Documentary Running Time: 89 min. View Trailer.
There’s Something in the Water
May 11, 2026
THERE’S SOMETHING IN THE WATER is a disturbing and, frankly, terrifying portrait of ecological and social disasters in director Elliot Page’s native Nova Scotia. Based on Ingrid Waldron’s incendiary study, the film follows Page as he travels to rural areas of the province that are plagued by toxic fallout from industrial development. Together with collaborator Ian Daniel, Elliot discovers that these catastrophes have been precisely placed, all in remote, low-income — and very often Indigenous or Black — communities. Documentary Running time: 71 min. View Trailer.
Teacher Praise for Cinema Classroom:
“The materials were rich and easy to adapt to our needs. My students talked about the film and Dr. Smith for days. I am so grateful to the Avalon Theatre for helping reinvigorate my 8th graders.” — Hardy Middle School (Soundtrack for a Revolution)
“Our 9th graders were thrilled and enamored. The film’s visuals were highly engaging and left a lasting impression. The biology team was also very impressed with the questions the students had for Mr. Hocevar, as well as his extensive experience in the field of marine biology.” — Capital City PCHS (Chasing Coral)
Contact Rebecca Dupas with any questions at rdupas@theavalon.org or leave a message at our Business Office at 202-966-2149.
This program was made possible, in part, through our membership with the DC Collaborative.
Cinema Classroom at the Avalon Program Partner:
Cinema Classroom at the Avalon Program Sponsors:
