Film & Cinematography News South Africa

International edutainment system arrives in South Africa's cinemas

A new partnership between Ster-Kinekor Theatres and Cinema Park Network, aims to bring educational programmes to the digital theatre, by screening interactive edutainment. The new Cinema Park experience will be screening Addicted to Life for secondary school learners and Keep it Wild for primary school learners at the Zone in Rosebank, as part of a pilot programme.
Learners from Feed My Lambs Primary School get ready to experience the new Cinema Park Concept at Ster-Kinekor Theaters.
Learners from Feed My Lambs Primary School get ready to experience the new Cinema Park Concept at Ster-Kinekor Theaters.
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Cinema Park is a state-of-the-art system that brings entertainment-style educational programmes to students in an unforgettable way. There are 550 cinematic educational, entertainment projects set up throughout the world inspiring over 100 000 children in countries such as Mexico, Greece, Taiwan, Poland, Israel, the US and the UK to learn more about their school subjects.

These include nature, science, history, drug and alcohol-abuse prevention, recycling and natural disasters. It is reportedly so effective in helping change the intention to change behavior amongst the youth in Israel, that the government has made the programme compulsory for learners in Grade 9.

Learners in 3D glasses and using handheld devices, interact with the Cinema Park concept.
Learners in 3D glasses and using handheld devices, interact with the Cinema Park concept.
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Abigail le Roux (PR and National Promotions manager at Ster-Kinekor), Rhae Shawn Kabantu (Cinema Park channel manager) and Darren Hampton (brand marketing manager at Ster-Kinekor) with the Free My Lambs Primary School children.
Abigail le Roux (PR and National Promotions manager at Ster-Kinekor), Rhae Shawn Kabantu (Cinema Park channel manager) and Darren Hampton (brand marketing manager at Ster-Kinekor) with the Free My Lambs Primary School children.
click to enlarge

Entertaining and educational experience

The technologies work together to produce an entertaining and educational experience, by combining 3D film projection technology, audio effects and audience interactivity tools to heighten the student's engagement in the learning process. The result is a multi-sensory experience that incorporates 3D, music, dark, inspiration and interaction, all working together to stimulate the senses and combine a feedback mechanism for teachers from the students.

CEO of Ster-Kinekor Theatres Fiaz Mahomed says, "This is directly aligned with our belief that we can positively change our society through initiatives that encourage good choices and instil a sense of pride in ourselves and the world we live in. It is through partnerships such as this that we are able to assist in providing educational content for our young audiences, providing tools for learning, growth and interaction, and at the same time bettering our society."

The group plans to bring other Life-Changing Programs of Cinema Park to South Africa, such as The Good Life (promoting balanced nutrition, an active lifestyle and coping with childhood obesity), Living Together (stopping youth violence and bullying), Planet Home (environmental protection), and Being a Good Citizen (citizenship).

For block booking queries email moc.rokenikrets@krapamenic.

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