Cinemediation: Investigating the effectiveness of cinema as a mediation tool from the teachers’ perspective

Abstract

This study explores cinemediation, an innovative educational approach that integrates film language with mediation practices to foster conflict prevention and resolution in schools. Drawing on a comprehensive longitudinal case study spanning two years (“Cinema Without Conflicts Showcase” 2022–2023) involving over 5'000 participants in the Azores, Portugal, this research combines qualitative and quantitative methods. It integrates survey responses from 103 teachers with in-depth interviews conducted with nine educators across subjects such as science, maths, arts, and philosophy. Findings indicate that educators recognize and perceive carefully selected short films as effective tools, especially when discussed under teacher guidance. They agree that these films help stimulate reflection on complex social issues, such as bullying, diversity, and self-esteem, while also enhancing students’ empathy, communication, and conflict resolution skills. Quantitative data confirm educators’ positive perceptions, with high mean ratings for the relevance of cinema to citizenship education (M = 5.35/6) and conflict prevention (M = 4.95/6). Crucially, the study highlights the pivotal role of the teacher-mediator in facilitating dialogue and transforming film screenings into meaningful learning experiences. Cinemediation emerges as a promising complement to existing pedagogical strategies, offering schools a practical tool to promote emotional literacy, social skills, and citizenship education. By linking cinematic narratives to students’ lived experiences, this approach enriches educational practice and fosters more inclusive, reflective, and empathetic school environments.