The main objective of the “Movie Up” project was to promote the use of cinema as a non-formal education tool to empower older adults at risk of social exclusion. We aimed to create new learning and participation opportunities for people aged 65+, especially those facing geographical, social, economic, or educational barriers. Through this project, we intended to: (1) develop local cinema-based educational paths that foster creativity and critical thinking; (2) encourage older generations to re-engage with society by sharing their stories and perspectives through the lens of film; (3) promote intergenerational dialogue and inclusive cultural participation; (4) provide adult educators with innovative methodologies for working with older learners using audiovisual tools. By achieving these goals, the project contributed to increasing the autonomy, confidence, and social visibility of older adults while reinforcing community bonds and addressing age-related marginalisation in an inclusive and creative way.
We applied for this project in response to the growing need to promote social inclusion and active ageing among older adults, especially those living in remote, rural, or disadvantaged urban areas. Europe is facing a demographic shift, with a rapidly ageing population at risk of social isolation, often exacerbated by disability, low education levels, and limited access to cultural resources. "Movie Up: a creative ageing path" aimed to address this challenge by using cinema as a tool for non-formal education and intergenerational dialogue. The project was designed to empower older adults through creative expression, critical thinking, and storytelling, while fostering community engagement and lifelong learning. Our goal was to create inclusive learning environments that support well-being, participation, and the cultural visibility of senior citizens who are often excluded from the mainstream social fabric.