Students get into film with actress Helena Bonham Carter

Students from ten London secondary schools had a day to remember recently as they joined Into Film for a behind the scenes look at new film The Young and Prodigious T.S. Spivet.

Students from across the capital ventured to The Courthouse Hotel for a private screening of the new coming of age film about a young boy who embarks on a cross country journey across America from Amelie director Jean-Pierre Jeunet.

Following the screening, students gained insight into the production of this idiosyncratic tale in a Q&A session with Spivet's mother, British actress Helena Bonham Carter. Chaired by Into Film young reporter Harry, Helena talked to students about her role in the film, her career to date, and the possibilities available to them in the industry today.

Speaking of her love of the communal nature of film, Helena urged young people to watch and learn from cinema together: "So many people watch films on their own at home and it's not a communal thing, so for me to sit here and hear the laughter, the appreciation, the jokes, you can tell also when a story is being well told and what point you go across from watching it through the eyes of the audience so it was hugely helpful."

After the event following a quick recommendation of Fred Astaire's films, Helena had high praise for her student audience, saying "I loved their interest and enthusiasm."

Helena was also kind enough to join us earlier this month for an interview with Into Film young reporter Eronita.

Joined by T.S. Spivet director Jean-Pierre Jeunet, the pair spoke of the importance of imagination when filmmaking and how the next generation of filmmakers can go about getting started. Watch the full interview below.