Published On: 06/01/2026

Who is it for?

  • UK-wide primary, secondary, complementary, community schools
  • For children from age 5 to 15

When will it happen?

  • The films can be accessed via a weblink (sent to schools who register, along with teaching resources).
  • Advance registration from mid November 2025, the resources and links will be sent out in the first week of January for use up to 31st March 2026
  • It will take between 45 minutes to complete a film screening with classroom or workshop activities.

What is the activity?

Teachers are invited to introduce children to three short films about food around the world, with classroom activities and teaching resources.

These films have been specially selected and curated by film programmer, Aman Dhillon (ReelN), to reveal different world cultures, communities and languages through the culture around food. Teachers will be able to show the films and explore common unifying themes and complete fun activities in the classroom related to the films.

Films can be shown individually or as a collection, to explore themes around food, language and culture, as well as diversity and inclusion and encourage discussion. Learning resources will be provided suitable for age 5 to 15.

The three films will be made available from 6th January, with a supporting guide for teachers:

  • Butter Toast (2019, Director Ojaswwee Sharma) Punjabi and Hindi Language (6 mins, Classification U) A short take on the essence and importance of food waste. Where India ranks at the highest for having the most undernourished people in the world, it is time to save every bit of food, and share with the deficit ones to build a better nation.
  • One Plate Maggi (2022, Director Arnesh Kundu) – Bengali Language film (4 mins, Classification U) A mixed-media Bengali animated film about how an energetic and ever-hungry 13 year old must convince his unenthusiastic 10-year old sister to give him half her plate of Maggi Noodles before she finishes eating. Animated in 6 different mediums: Cel animation, Claymation, Cut-out animation, Shadow Puppets, Stop Motion Puppets, and Paint on glass, mixing traditional and modern animation techniques.
  • The Apple (2023, Director Manyak Sharma) – English and Hindi Language film (15 mins, Classification U) Revolving around two children who meet each other whilst exchanging an apple. Set in India and coming from different socio-economic backgrounds, the children develop a feeling of compassion.

How do I get involved?

To register for the activity, simply email info@expressyourselfne.com with the following information:

  • the name of the activity (Food on Film)
  • lead contact name and email
  • the name and address of your school
  • the number of children expected to participate and their age/year group.

This helps us to monitor who is taking part and our reach across the region.

You will be sent the teacher guide with links to the films and suggested activities from 6th January. You can access the films until the end of March.

If pupils are home schooling, the teacher can share the link with their parents or guardians.

Further information and links

Aman Dhillon is the Founding Director of ReelN, a film network with diversity and inclusion at its core. Aman has a wealth of experience in leading high quality educational and entertainment events from grassroots to events at BAFTA, BFI, and the House of Lords, which has had a particular focus on South Asia. She has managed prestigious South Asian film festivals UK-wide and festivals and film programming in different regions, including Film Hub North.

ReelN are specialists and offer a range of support from film programming and representation, to volunteer training, learning opportunities and event management.

Who is organising this?

  • This collection of films have been curated and the classroom activities and teaching resources have been designed by Aman Dhillon, Founder of ReelN Ltd, specifically for Express Yourself: North East Festival of Languages 2026.
  • Named contact person: Aman Dhillon
  • Email: hello@reeln.co.uk

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