IB Film Extended Essay Grader
- Lots of students struggle to decode their Film Extended Essay grade and assessment.
- This is a free grading tool that breaks down the IB Film EE rubric into plain English, so you understand exactly where your 4,000-word film research project stands across all five assessment criteria.
- The embedded grader makes self-evaluation faster and more accurate than manual rubric checking, so you're never left guessing.
Note
The grader works in two modes:
- Draft Mode: Quick assessment of your work-in-progress. Input your current sections and get instant feedback on which criteria need more work before you finish writing.
- Full Mode: Complete evaluation of your finished EE. Input your final project details across all criteria and get a comprehensive grade breakdown with specific improvement suggestions for each section.
Quick Start Checklist
- Before using the grader, ensure you have these key elements ready:
- Research Question - Clear, focused film question that allows for extended investigation and cinematic analysis
- Film Focus - Must be firmly based on film studies covering cinematic techniques, film theory, or film history
- Film Sources - Mix of primary sources (films themselves) and secondary sources (film criticism, academic literature)
- Film Analysis - Extended critical evaluation of cinematic evidence with technical analysis and theoretical application
- Word Count Verification - Maximum 4,000 words (excluding bibliography, footnotes, and appendices)
- Complete Structure - Introduction, Investigation, Analysis, Conclusion, Bibliography, and Reflections
- Supervisor Meetings - Evidence of 3 mandatory reflection sessions with your EE supervisor
- Cinematic Terminology - Demonstration of film vocabulary, technical understanding, and analytical skills
Rubric Breakdown
The IB Film EE is assessed based on five criteria, totaling 34 marks.
Criterion A: Focus and Method (6 marks)
- This criterion tests how clear and focused your film research question is.
- It evaluates whether your methodology is appropriate for film investigation.
| Mark Band | What It Means | Evidence You Must Show |
|---|---|---|
| 5-6 | Excellent focus and method. | Sharply focused film question with sophisticated research approach maintained throughout |
| 3-4 | Good focus and method. | Clear film-related question with appropriate research methodology |
| 1-2 | Basic focus and method. | Basic research question with minimal methodology explanation |
| 0 | Little to no focus and method. | Research question unclear or not film-related |
Criterion B: Knowledge and Understanding (6 marks)
- This evaluates your grasp of film concepts and cinematic knowledge.
- It tests how well you apply film theory and demonstrate cinema expertise.
| Mark Band | What It Means | Evidence You Must Show |
|---|---|---|
| 5-6 | Excellent knowledge | Sophisticated understanding with expert use of film concepts and theoretical frameworks |
| 3-4 | Good knowledge | Clear understanding with appropriate film terminology and concepts |
| 1-2 | Limited knowledge | Basic understanding with minimal film application |
| 0 | No relevant knowledge | No connection to film theory or cinematic concepts |
Criterion C: Critical Thinking (12 marks)
- This is the most important criterion - worth 35% of your total grade.
- It assesses your ability to analyze films, evaluate cinematic arguments, and synthesize film findings.
| Mark Band | What It Means | Evidence You Must Show |
|---|---|---|
| 10-12 | Excellent critical thinking. | Sophisticated analysis with original film insights and comparative evaluation |
| 7-9 | Good critical thinking. | Strong analysis and evaluation of cinematic evidence |
| 4-6 | Basic critical thinking. | Clear analysis with some film evaluation |
| 1-3 | Poor critical thinking. | Some analysis but mainly descriptive |
| 0 | Little to no critical thinking. | Purely descriptive, no film analysis |
Criterion D: Presentation (4 marks)
- This assesses professional presentation and academic formatting.
- It includes structure, film communication, and adherence to academic conventions.
| Mark Band | What It Means | Evidence You Must Show |
|---|---|---|
| 3-4 | Excellent presentation. | Professional structure, clear film communication, proper citations |
| 1-2 | Adequate presentation | Generally clear with some formatting issues |
| 0 | Poor presentation. | Unclear structure, poor formatting, missing citations |
Criterion E: Engagement (6 marks)
- This tests your personal engagement with the film research process.
- It's based on your reflection sessions and demonstrates your intellectual development.
| Mark Band | What It Means | Evidence You Must Show |
|---|---|---|
| 5-6 | Excellent engagement | Sophisticated reflection demonstrating deep film research engagement |
| 3-4 | Good engagement. | Clear reflection showing film thinking development |
| 1-2 | Basic engagement. | Basic reflection with some personal connection |
| 0 | No engagement | Minimal reflection, no evidence of personal involvement |
How to Interpret Your Grade from the Tool
How to Interpret Your Grade from the Tool
- The embedded grader calculates your total score out of 28 marks across all criteria except E, your reflections.
- Here's how to interpret your results:
- 24-28 marks (Grade A territory): Excellent work with sophisticated film research. Minor refinements needed.
- 19-23 marks (Grade B range): Strong project with good cinematic analysis. Focus on critical evaluation and theoretical synthesis.
- 14-18 marks (Grade C level): Competent work meeting basic requirements. Strengthen film analysis and evidence evaluation.
- 9-13 marks (Grade D range): Adequate foundation but needs significant improvement. Review research focus and film understanding.
- Below 9 marks (Grade E): Major revision required across most criteria. Restructure approach and strengthen film fundamentals.
Tip
If you're between bands, focus on Criterion C (Critical Thinking) - it offers the biggest impact for improvement.
Grade Boundaries & Converting Your Mark
IB Extended Essay grade boundaries are consistent across subjects but can vary slightly by session:
| IB Grade | Mark Range (out of 34) | Percentage | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 27-34 | 79-100% | Excellent |
| B | 21-26 | 62-76% | Good |
| C | 14-20 | 41-59% | Satisfactory |
| D | 7-13 | 21-38% | Mediocre |
| E | 0-6 | 0-18% | Elementary |
Tip
- Grades D or E in your EE mean you cannot receive the IB Diploma, regardless of other grades
- Your EE grade combines with TOK to contribute up to 3 bonus points to your total IB score.
Subject-Specific Tips
Auteur Theory Focus:
- Investigate director's style, thematic consistency, visual signatures, or career development.
- Include filmmaker biography, stylistic analysis, comparative filmography, and critical reception.
Film Movement Focus:
- Examine national cinema, film movements (Nouvelle Vague, Neorealism), genre development, or historical periods.
- Use movement characteristics, cultural context, political influences, and international impact.
Genre Analysis Focus:
- Study genre conventions, evolution, subversions, or cross-cultural adaptations.
- Include iconography, narrative structures, character archetypes, and audience expectations.
Technical Analysis Focus:
- Investigate cinematography, editing techniques, sound design, or special effects development.
- Use technical terminology, equipment history, aesthetic choices, and technological innovation.
Film Theory Focus:
- Apply psychoanalytical, feminist, postcolonial, or formalist theory to film analysis.
- Include theoretical frameworks, scholarly discourse, ideological analysis, and critical interpretation.
Comparative Cinema Focus:
- Compare national cinemas, adaptation studies, remake analysis, or cross-cultural influences.
- Use cultural context, production differences, audience reception, and critical comparison.
Common Mistake
Quick fixes:
- Too broad research question → Focus on specific films, directors, techniques, or movements with clear scope
- Insufficient film analysis → Include detailed shot-by-shot analysis, technical terminology, and cinematic techniques
- Weak theoretical framework → Apply film theory (auteur, psychoanalytical, feminist, formalist) to support arguments
- Limited comparative approach → Compare films, directors, movements, or national cinemas for deeper analysis
- Poor use of primary sources → Analyze actual films rather than relying solely on secondary criticism
- Missing historical context → Contextualize films within historical periods, social movements, and cultural contexts
- Inadequate technical analysis → Include cinematography, editing, sound design, mise-en-scène analysis
- Word count violations → Stay within 4,000 words; only first 4,000 words are marked
- Generic conclusions → Base conclusions on specific film evidence and theoretical analysis
- Poor academic referencing → Use consistent citation style and credible film sources
FAQs
- How many films should I analyze?
- Quality over quantity - 2-5 films analyzed in depth better than superficial coverage of many films.
- Can I focus on contemporary films?
- Yes - but ensure sufficient critical distance and academic sources for analysis.
- Should I include film history?
- Where relevant - historical context strengthens analysis but shouldn't dominate the investigation.
- What film theory should I use?
- Choose theory appropriate to your research question - auteur, genre, psychoanalytical, feminist, formalist.
- How technical should my analysis be?
- Use appropriate film terminology but explain technical concepts for educated non-specialist readers.
- Can I analyze animated films?
- Absolutely - animation offers unique opportunities for technical and artistic analysis.
- Should I include director interviews?
- Where available - primary sources from filmmakers provide valuable insights into creative intentions.
- What about film reception?
- Box office, critical reviews, and audience response can support arguments about film impact.
- How do I handle subtitled films?
- Language barriers don't prevent analysis - focus on visual elements and use reliable translations.
- What makes a Film EE exceptional?
- Sophisticated film analysis, theoretical application, comparative methodology, technical understanding, and original insights.
Use the Free Film Extended Essay Grader Now
- Stop guessing about your grade.
- The comprehensive grading tool evaluates your EE against all five official criteria, giving instant feedback on strengths and improvement areas.
- Input your project details and get a preliminary grade calculation that helps you focus revision efforts where they matter most.
- Film-specific analysis helps you master the cinematic analysis and theoretical application that separate excellent from average Film Extended Essays.
