Kanopy at the Boston Film Festival: Building Bridges Between Film, Students, and Academia

 This September, Kanopy had the privilege of sponsoring and attending the Boston Film Festival. This experience served as a powerful reminder of why showing up for film culture matters, especially in academic and student communities. While some streamers might not feel the need to be involved in festivals like these, we’ve found that being present where faculty, students, and filmmakers gather helps strengthen relationships, spark discovery, and build long-term partnerships that directly benefit colleges and universities.

Experiencing Festivals as Living Classrooms

For students, especially those studying film, media, and the arts, festivals are more than screenings, they’re living classrooms. At Boston, we saw this firsthand when Emerson College students stayed late into the evening for a Q&A with the cast of The Fallow Few. Their thoughtful questions challenged the director and actors, sparking meaningful dialogue that extended the conversation far beyond the stage. Those moments show how academic curiosity elevates the festival experience, and Kanopy is proud to be part of that exchange.

Festivals help faculty align their teaching with what the industry is creating and exploring today. Events like the Boston Film Festival give professors opportunities to point students toward contemporary voices, diverse perspectives, and indie filmmaking that can enrich curricula. 

For Kanopy, our role is to help bridge those connections, bringing films from the festival world into the classroom and, when available, onto the Kanopy platform.

Building Long-Term Academic Partnerships and Campus Connections

Our time in Boston also underscored the importance of long-term academic partnerships. From conversations with Emerson staff and students to networking with local institutions, we built goodwill and awareness that extend far beyond the festival itself. These touchpoints remind students and faculty that Kanopy isn’t just a streaming platform—we’re a partner in fostering film literacy, media analysis, and cultural engagement on campus.

We recorded more than 80 minutes of conversations with filmmakers and talent, giving students, faculty, and the Boston community a way to keep the festival alive beyond the screenings. Hearing straight from the filmmakers adds energy to classroom discussions and gives students real-world insights that go hand-in-hand with their studies.

Standing Apart as a Streamer 

A big takeaway from Boston was that Kanopy shows up in ways other streamers don’t. By supporting theatrical experiences and engaging directly with students, faculty, and artists, Kanopy demonstrates a commitment to more than streaming—it’s about sustaining film culture. That presence builds genuine trust across the community.

As one attendee told us, Kanopy’s “go with the flow” approach made us approachable and authentic. That authenticity helps students and faculty see us not as a random tech platform, but as a partner in education and creative exploration.

Looking Ahead

The Boston community—home to major academic institutions and a vibrant film scene—was an exciting introduction for Kanopy to the world of independent film festivals. We’re already looking ahead to attending more festivals, building on this momentum. With thoughtful planning and stronger connections to local academic and library partners, we see film festivals as a space where Kanopy can make a lasting impact.

Festivals like Boston show that some of the most meaningful connections happen in places that don’t usually get the spotlight. By engaging directly with students, faculty, and artists, Kanopy extends its educational mission while bringing the richness of film culture into higher education.