Teaching values in the classroom or in any situation is made much easier with fun and profound videos and short films that, despite their short duration, can leave a deep mark on our belief system.
Next we will discover the 15 most interesting short films to reflect on that we can teach our children, siblings, or even some adult we know who is still a little out of date in their ideas.
Respect, tolerance, empathy, advocacy of diversity, acceptance of people regardless of their race, gender and sexual orientation and many more values are what we can learn from the 15 short films that we will discover below.
1. The porcupine
“The Porcupine” offers a different vision of the topic of loneliness, from the perspective of this animal that, due to its spines, is rejected by the rest of its companions. However, thanks to the empathy and friendship of those around him, he finally manages to be accepted, receiving a curious gift from his new friends.
2. Honesty
“Honesty”, also called “Chess” is a curious short that appears at the end of the Pixar film “A Bug’s Life” from 1998, directed by John Lasseter and Andrew Stanton.
The message of the short is that, To be honest with the people around us, we must first be honest with ourselves This value is exposed through a game of chess, in which an old man plays against himself.
Who will win? Who will lose? Does someone who cheats really win? Is he a loser who does it by playing fair?
“Day and Night” is a short film directed by Teddy Newton that is about two very curious characters. One represents the day and the other the night and, depending on how they feel, the sky will be one way or another
For example, when Day is happy, a rainbow appears in the sunny sky, while when Night is happy, fireworks will be seen in the night sky.
Although at first these two funny characters feel uncomfortable together, as time goes by they learn to see the good side of each other, and how day turns into night and vice versa. This short conveys a message of learning to live with our colleagues and see their positive things.
Created by House Boat Animation Studio, “Tamara” talks about a very special girl who wants to become a dancer when she grows up
Although Tamara suffers from deafness, this does not prevent her from fantasizing about the idea of dancing to the rhythm of music, because dance is something that she feels runs through her veins and, although she cannot hear, she feels the musical notes.
Thanks to the effort and his desire to dance, his disability will not prevent him from realizing his dream, this being the message that the short film aims to convey: fight for our dreams and face adversity.
5. Destiny
“Destino” is what, if it had materialized at the right time, would have become a classic in the history of cinema.
The original idea arose in 1945 thanks to the collaboration of the filmmaker Walt Disney and the Spanish painter Salvador Dalí but due to financial problems in the film industry after World War II it was a dream that they could not realize.
Fortunately, in 2003 it materialized as a tribute to Disney and Dalí. An ideal short for fine arts students, given that its dreamlike and surreal theme, so much in the style of the mad-genius Dalí, gives life to great works by the artist from Figueras.
6. Little birds
Another short made by Pixar, in this case directed by Ralph Eggleston, which He went on to win an Oscar in his category in 2000
In “Pajaritos”, also called “For the Birds” you can extract various reflections on tolerance and the importance that each one of us has, in addition to respecting and accepting the diversity and peculiarities of each one. In our differences we can find virtues.
7. Strings
“Ropes”, by Pedro Solís García, is a small work of art of the world in 3D. It has been recognized with the 2014 Goya Award for best animated short film
This wonderful short film will teach the little ones the value of authentic friendship, respect and inclusion so that no different child feels marginalized. Special children do not seek a cure for their limitations, but rather the acceptance of others, to feel loved and accepted.
8. The largest flower in the world
“The biggest flower in the world” It is based on a story written by José de Sousa Saramago, Portuguese writer awarded the Nobel Prize in literature. This short even had the collaboration of Saramago himself, who provided the voice for the story and had his own character.
This short film advocates solidarity and human relationships in a world in which the only thing that seems to exist is a lack of ideals, individualism and little altruism, which eclipse other feelings.
9. The Butterfly Circus
In “The Butterfly Circus” a call is made to positive values, such as respect and dignity, although without leaving aside the fears and fears that everyone has. At some point in our lives, we have been plagued by worries, including the fear of not being accepted.
But sometimes, in order to face these fears, it is necessary to break the barriers that we often put on ourselves, which are not the only obstacle that prevents us from being happy.
10. For four little corners of nothing
“For four little corners of nothing” is a story in the form of a short film aimed at children which encourages the idea of accepting people, no matter how different they are from us. We must be tolerant and supportive, and integrate into our environment those who, no matter how many different things they may have, are still just another person in this vast world.
In this case, diversity is exposed with geometric figures. In a world where everyone seems to be a circle, being born square is seen as a problem, but, really, what do four little corners mean?
11. Doll Face
Released in 2005, the short is a criticism of something that is still very relevant today: the influence of the media and its role in promoting female stereotypes
Although thanks to the feminist struggle it has been possible to overthrow, at least in part, the beauty canon imposed on women, there is still a lot of work to do.
As explained in “Doll Face”, there are many who see women as simple dolls without the right to give their opinions or think for themselves. Toys for men’s use and enjoyment.
12. My little brother from the moon
“My little brother on the moon” is a moving story that brings us closer to the world of people who suffer from Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) The protagonist of this short is a girl, whose brother has autism. Her way of telling it is very special, emphasizing the idea that people must be respected.
13. Shh! Silence Helps Homophobia
“Shh! Silence Helps Homophobia” reflects very well how silence in the face of injustice, specifically homophobia, is collaboration with the aggressor.
This short explains how The best way to fight intolerance is not to ignore it, but by actively participating so that no one feels marginalized. Values such as respect and help are what guide this small film, highlighting that one should never use violence or be racist.
14. Binta and the big idea
“Binta and the big idea” is the idea of Javier Fesser, who tells the life of a Senegalese girl named Binta. The girl lives in a small village in the south of Senegal, near the Casamance River.
This story highlights values such as social justice, tolerance and solidarity, speaking of education for development. It also highlights how harmful countervalues such as racism and sexism are, negative values to which Binta, being a woman and black, can be a victim.
15. Swing of Change
“Swing of Change” is set in New York in the 1930s. Its protagonist is a barber, named Harry, who, a victim of the ideals of the sociocultural context in which he lives, is at the same time the perpetrator of an injustice: racism Harry does not allow African-American people into his establishment.
However, one day, Harry will see how his world changes, and his racist attitude will evolve towards respect and equality for people, regardless of their skin color.
The app that allows you to have access to short films
If you are a movie buff and especially love short films, The Meyo app has been developed with you in mind In it you will find endless audiovisual material that will allow you to reflect on aspects of your life such as food, relationships, existence itself… quite a discovery.
