Film Screening: "Jumanji" (1995)

"Some gamers only play games for their story; they want an interactive narrative that they can be a part of and be whisked away by.” —TheGamer.com

Prepare to be whisked away to the worlds of games! Stories are the heart and soul of any good game, and the Level Up Film Series honors that tradition as seen in filmmaking. Inspired by our special exhibit , these films celebrate the art of storytelling in games and illustrate the immersive nature of playing them.

Next up, we head back to 1995 with the original Jumanji. Two kids discover an old board game and when they start playing it they are greeted by a man who has spent years trapped inside the game since playing it at age 12. His only hope for freedom involves finishing the dangerous game.

Level Up: Writers & Gamers, where the magic of game writing awaits!

Embark on a thrilling adventure into the world of game writing and explore the role of narrative and storytelling in gaming, from the 1970s to today. Timed to coincide with the 50th anniversary of fantasy tabletop role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons, Level Up enriches your understanding of writing through fun and interactive formats, inspires young people to try a new form of writing, and encourages exploration of the worlds created through games.

Take a deep dive into the world of game writing, and learn about topics such as Live Action Role Playing, Decision Trees/Choice Making, Character Creation, Notable Events in Gaming History, Game-Adjacent Writing, and more. Through a timeline and a series of interactive features, including a mock basement game room where you can play games, you’ll have an active role in the story of Level Up.

Host or Publisher American Writers Museum