Abstract:

The paradigm of complexity called for the empowerment of every living being is as essential and indispensable part of network of life (Capra, 2001).
This awareness has produced, specifically in the field of education, attention to the design of paths of information and environmental education able to form critical conscience (Malavasi, 2008; Persi, 2005; Mortari 1998).
Key role in this direction is the one covered by the school. The school, looking at environmental issues in a systemic perspective (Bateson, 1977), cannot consider how the informal education system (especially the media) acts in training of an environmental conscience.

This study involved the fourth and fifth primary school "R. Jannuzzi "Andria (for a total of ten classes). It aimed to explore the role that, within the media landscape, the film might have in leading students to a greater awareness of environmental issues in an authentic view of environmental education and sustainability. The media landscape is investigated as a potential "production field values" (Rivoltella, 2005) since it can encourage citizens to participate in decisions relating to the future fate of the world in a responsible, competent, truly democratic way (Rossellini, 1972).
The main objective of the study was to demonstrate how the cinema (in particular animation films) can become an instrument of environmental education and sustainability, if accompanied by a critical reading of the film text and educational laboratories, structured by the research team, teachers and parents of the students involved in the project.

In particular, this paper has set its eyes on the analysis of practical teaching and education, recognizing in collaborative research (Perla, 2011) an approach to environmental education capable of producing concrete and lasting results.

The research was structured as follows:
1. meetings with the teachers involved in research to identify the training needs on environmental education of school;
2. reading of the Plan of Studies, in order to capture the importance of sustainability issues in the life of the school;
3. administration of a questionnaire to teachers to investigate: a possible past use of the instrument film in classroom practice, what kind of film would be engaging for the students, what issues relating to environmental education could be linked to the daily life of the students and, therefore, more closer to their interests;
4. construction of educational workshops with teachers and parents;
5. vision of the films chosen for the following areas: waste, climate change, nutrition;
6. development laboratories previously structured;
7. questionnaires for the analysis of final results.

The research, during execution, allowed us to observe:
1. increase in the critical skills of students with respect to personal behavior made to the environment;
2. increase of interest in pupils' attitudes towards environmental issues as part of their daily;
3. increased teachers availability to build collaborative relationships within the teaching team and with the parents.

Keywords:

Environmental education, Sustainability, Cinema, Primary School.