David Billinge
Educator I Filmmaker I Researcher
David Billinge is an international educator & filmmaker based in Bangkok. His work explores the meeting point between film, narrative, imagination and learning.
Originally trained in film, he has spent more than a decade working in international education across Asia. Hidden Lantern grew from the gradual convergence of these two worlds — using cinematic storytelling not simply to illustrate ideas, but to create experiences through which learners can question, interpret and construct meaning.
The Art of Cinematic Learning
Film
David studied Film & American Studies at the University of East Anglia, developing a foundation in film history, theory and visual storytelling that continues to shape his creative and educational work.
His films are shaped by a background in education, with an emphasis on clarity, perspective, and allowing the audience to interpret meaning for themselves.
Working with a combination of traditional filmmaking techniques and emerging AI tools, he develops projects that are visually engaging and carefully constructed, using technology to expand creative possibilities while maintaining a clear creative identity.
Cinematic Learning
Cinematic Learning emerged from the convergence of David’s backgrounds in film and education. It explores how narrative, imagination and cinematic language can create meaningful encounters with ideas, providing a starting point for inquiry rather than simply presenting information.
Drawing on the work of Kieran Egan, Jerome Bruner and Kath Murdoch, alongside ideas from film theory and narrative structure, the approach connects imaginative experience with questioning, investigation, conceptual understanding and reflection.
Cinematic Learning is currently being developed through classroom practice, original filmmaking and ongoing research, with the framework evolving through observation, experimentation and reflection.
Education
David completed a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (International) at the University of Nottingham and has spent more than a decade working in international education across Asia.
His experience spans primary education across a range of international curricula, including the IB Primary Years Programme, Cambridge International and US Common Core, with teaching across English, mathematics, science, humanities and technology.
Over time, his classroom practice has increasingly focused on inquiry, conceptual learning and the role of imagination and narrative in helping students construct meaning — eventually bringing his educational and filmmaking backgrounds together.
Hidden Lantern
Hidden Lantern takes its inspiration from the history, and magic of Hoi An, Vietnam — a place of lantern-lit streets, folklore and layers of cultural memory.
The name reflects an interest in mystery, imagination and discovery, and the idea that stories can illuminate something previously unseen.
Over time, this developed into a growing interest in how narrative and filmmaking can enhance learning and curriculum design, bringing David’s work as a filmmaker and educator increasingly closer together.
Certifications & Experience
Post Graduate Certificate of Education (International)
University of Nottingham, UK.
University of East Anglia, UK.
BA Film & American Studies
IB PYP Category 1 & 2 (Professional Development)
Over 10 years of international teaching experience
International Baccalaureate
Primary Education - IBPYP - Cambridge International - Common Core
Get in touch
David is open to conversations and collaborations around Cinematic Learning, professional development, curriculum design, educational research, AI and independent Filmmaking.