As universities and investors increasingly expect purpose-built student housing to demonstrate their commitment to ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance), student accommodation providers are prioritising social responsibility within their operations and resident life.
With so many students in the UK facing mental health challenges, the emphasis on ESG is even more important. PBSAs must continue to invest in strategies that improve the welfare and satisfaction of their residents and go beyond infrastructure to deliver enriching, community-based living experiences.
By Filmbankmedia
We believe that films can play a key part in these strategies. Numerous studies suggest a strong link between watching films, building community, and improving social wellbeing. For example, a study observed changes in cortisol levels in 50% of participants, with the changes positively correlated with how funny they rated the content. Elevated cortisol levels are often indicators of stress or anxiety.
Another study showed that enjoying funny video content together helps release feel-good chemicals. Also, many mental health and counselling professionals have adopted cinematherapy as “a valuable tool in mental health care, offering a novel approach to fostering emotional wellbeing and alleviating depression.”
As such, offering a bespoke film and TV streaming platform to students can provide PBSAs with many tangible ways to address the social component of ESG.
Our bespoke streaming platform features the latest film releases, all-time favourites, and hit TV shows – carefully curated to meet the tastes of both UK and international students. The platform supports both individual streaming anywhere within the accommodation via personal devices and communal screening events.
Discover five powerful ways PBSAs can use our platform to enhance residents’ social wellbeing, plus some film suggestions to stream or screen for different occasions.
1. Films to calm and reduce stress
Exams, moving away from home, making new friends, cost of living… university life can be overwhelming. Watching calming films is a way to help students reduce that stress. Our platform can offer curated collections of soothing titles, which are updated regularly.
Students can stream via their personal devices in their own time and place, or PBSAs can organise calming and low-sensory screenings for students to attend when they need a moment of relaxation in a common area.
Such screenings can also be more inclusive for neurodivergent students, an important factor within socially responsible housing. These events might be held in a quiet zone in the accommodation with dimmed lighting, cosy seating, throws, an essential oil diffuser, and with limited slots made available to students to maintain a peaceful atmosphere.
Also, as the platform can host third-party content, students could stream short videos or tutorials that help them with breathing exercises, stretches, or mindfulness techniques.
Films for sensory-friendly screening events: Past Lives, A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon, The Free Soloists: Above the Sea, Pixar Short Films Collection, Soul, Lost in Translation, March of the Penguins, The Red Turtle, National Geographic Photographers: The Best Job in the World, The Biggest Little Farm.
2. Films to laugh, reminisce or just feel a bit better
A great way for PBSAs to help their residents handle stress is with feel-good and nostalgic films that students have grown up with and love to watch again and again.
PBSAs might decide to schedule special comedy or nostalgic movie nights, especially during the most stressful times of the year, such as exam seasons. They can also organise non-stop screenings in one of the common rooms so students can take a break from their busy study schedules when it suits them and meet their friends for some nostalgic movies.
“Andrew Magurany, 22, said that he likes to put on movies that he has seen a lot so he can be at peace, but if he gets tired, he can just fall asleep instead of trying to focus on what’s going on. Other students love to watch childhood Disney movies to take them back to their childhood. Megan Young, 25, watches Disney Princess movies so she can sing along with them as well.”
Students discuss favourite TV shows and movies for stress relief – Oak Leaves, Manchester University
Films for nostalgic or feel-good screening events: Frozen, Finding Nemo, La La Land, Mean Girls (2004), The Hunger Games, The Incredibles, 10 Things I Hate About You, Shrek, The Princess Diaries, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.
3. Films to celebrate diversity and inclusion
Films are also a brilliant way to celebrate diversity in PBSAs and inclusion among residents. Studies show that screening culturally diverse films can help university students broaden their global perspective and promote mutual respect between cultures.
It is also interesting to note that film screenings and watch parties can be less intimidating to students who may feel shy or overwhelmed by other lively social activities, giving them more opportunities to be part of the student community. Almost 90% of film club leaders have noticed improved social skills and confidence in students who attend screenings.
Our content and streaming solution provides the perfect opportunity to do this. During key calendar moments such as Diwali, Pride and Black History Month, student accommodations can organise cultural film festivals or facilitate film clubs and invite students to host panel discussions to share more about their cultures.
PBSAs could even collaborate with small local businesses, cultural programmes, and guest speakers to plan community-focused events and bring the wider neighbourhood together.
Films can be watched during the screenings but are also available to stream on the platform, so students can watch or re-watch in their own time.
Selecting from thousands of titles from Hollywood and international studios, and working closely with PBSAs, we curate the right film and TV show collections to suit many celebrations.
Our platform also offers multi-language audio and subtitle options, allowing students to enjoy content in the language they prefer.
Films to celebrate diversity: Pride – Tangerine, Pariah, Pride, Call Me by Your Name | Black History Month: Rye Lane, Amazing Grace, Queen of Katwe, Hidden Figures | Diwali: Bend It Like Beckham, Slumdog Millionaire, Bride & Prejudice, Jai Ho.
4. Films made by students for students
Allowing students to showcase their own films could be another positive way for PBSAs to continue building community within their accommodations and help boost student engagement.
A useful feature of our streaming solution is the ability to host third-party content. This could be a chance for students to have their work shown on a larger platform for their fellow residents to discover.
A study aimed at fostering reflection, empathy, and dialogue among medical students used film screenings followed by group discussions. The results showed that many participants felt more open and encouraged to express their views, opinions, and experiences with others during post-film screening discussions.
5. Films just for fun
Finally, films are, of course, a reliable and consistent source of entertainment. As well as relieving stress and promoting diversity, films are a great way for residents to enjoy their accommodation experience, especially when the films are new releases. PBSAs could host weekly or monthly film nights, showing the latest cultural hits such as Yolo and Wicked.
PBSAs can encourage students to submit their own suggestions for future screenings, with the next selection of films then made available to stream, boosting student engagement even more.
Films just for fun screening events: Mufasa: The Lion King, The Minecraft Movie, Wicked, Bad Boys: Ride or Die, Moana 2, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, Deadpool & Wolverine, Yolo, Mean Girls (2024), Captain America: Brave New World.
In summary
We understand that creating the best possible student living experience is a priority for housing providers, and we know that our streaming and content solution can play an impactful role in achieving this.
From celebrating diversity and creating inclusive spaces for students, to providing opportunities for social development and community, films offer a creative, easy-to-implement, and cost-effective way for student accommodations to meet their ESG goals all year round.
Providing a customised streaming and content platform is about more than just giving students access to films. It can unlock tangible tools for PBSAs to boost their social initiatives, create a real sense of community in their accommodations and, more importantly, support the wellbeing of their students.
Some extra bonuses of having a bespoke content and streaming platform in student accommodations
- PBSA-branded – customised with your logo and colours.
- Student-curated content – tailored film and TV picks for your residents.
- New and classic titles – regularly updated with new releases and favourites.
- Easy setup – simple URL access via student WiFi.
- Cost-saving for students – no need for multiple streaming subscriptions.
- Ad space included – use banners and pre-rolls for promos or partners.
Book your demo to learn more about how we can help you meet your ESG goals. Get in touch – email pbsa@filmbankmedia.com.
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