Film in Hospital - a pan-European Film Initiative for Young Audiences in Healthcare Structures

forthcoming

Film in Hospital (FIH) is dedicated to providing high-quality European films to children in hospitals, revalidation centers, and those recovering at home. The project focuses on film education and on using the power of film to engage children in meaningful conversations about ideas, cultures, and emotions, aiming to heal and educate. Through a curated selection of contemporary and heritage European films presented in 8 digital national platforms, and by developing participatory pedagogical tools to engage young audience into dialogues of equal - the project offers a unique opportunity for children who are often excluded from traditional cultural experiences such as film festivals, school visits, and family outings. Through its innovative digital distribution strategy, FIH has already reached nearly 200 hospitals across EU eight countries, with over 12,000 sessions annually. From 2017 to 2024, the project’s focus evolved from setting up platforms and curating content to expanding into more EU territories: Belgium, Sweden, Croatia, Slovenia, Italy, Spain, Germany and Greece, introducing a heritage section, and increasing the number of both online and offline activities. During the current phase, particular attention was given to developing innovative digital tools to enhance audience engagement and the overall user experience on our platforms. Looking ahead to the 2026-2028 period, our goal is to build an even more scalable technological foundation, including the development of our own app and additional digital tools, to facilitate easier connections with new partner. Expanding further into additional 3 EU, 1 non-EU territory using a model of associated partners and developing advanced digital tools will allow us continued growth and engagement with European films in 12 countries. The overall goal is to establish FIH as an essential service for children's hospitals across Europe, laying the foundation for expansion into 27 European countries over the next decade.