Sidmouth donkeys take lead role in new degree course

Film students at the University of Exeter are taking a closer look at donkeys in cinema – and not just from a director’s chair. A unique new course, launched in partnership with The Donkey Sanctuary in Sidmouth, explores how donkeys are portrayed in film and television, challenging stereotypes that have long shaped their on-screen image.

The module, titled Scrublands, Sanctuary, Screens: Co-Creating Knowledges alongside Donkeys, is the first of its kind and blends film analysis with hands-on experience. Students will study movies such as The Banshees of Inisherin, Shrek, Jesus of Nazareth, and EO, while also visiting The Donkey Sanctuary to interact with the animals directly.

“When Colin Farrell and Martin McDonagh acknowledged Jenny the Donkey in their Golden Globes speeches, it raised fascinating questions about animal performance,” said Dr Fiona Handyside, co-lead for the module. “This course merges film studies with real-world donkey expertise to reconsider how these animals are represented and what that means for their welfare.”

The partnership marks a first for The Donkey Sanctuary, a global leader in donkey welfare. Deputy CEO Dr Faith Burden hopes the initiative will encourage a new generation of filmmakers to think critically about how animals are depicted on screen.

“For too long, donkeys have been misrepresented in popular culture, often as stubborn or comedic figures,” she said. “By spending time with real donkeys, students will gain a deeper understanding of their intelligence and sensitivity.”

Senior Lecturer Dr Benedict Morrison believes the course could reshape perspectives on all animal portrayals. “The media reduces donkeys to symbolic meanings – the stubborn, the stupid, the lazy. This partnership allows students to engage with donkeys as real beings, rather than just film tropes.”

With Exeter students leading the charge, donkeys may finally get the cinematic respect they deserve.