The Odyssey: Everyday Epic

Set your students up for an epic summer with a themed competition and resource inspired by the mythic action of the big-screen spectacle of Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey.

Everyday Epic offers students aged 15+ an invigorating voyage through descriptive language, the conventions of epic poetry, and the craft of cinematic storytelling. The resource is aligned with curriculum objectives from:

English Literature
PSHE
Classical Civilisation
Media Studies

About the resource
Inspired by the scale and pedigree of the new film, Everyday Epic invites learners to discover one of the greatest stories ever told. Students will reflect on their own experiences, both physical and mental, and consider how overcoming challenges helps build resilience. Connecting with curriculum objectives from English Literature and Classical Civilisation, learners will explore meanings of the word ‘epic’ over time and develop their understanding of the conventions of epic poetry. They’ll then flex and strengthen their descriptive writing muscles in an exercise that challenges them to make the everyday epic. Finally, students will develop their media literacy skills by considering how this legendary tale has been brought to the big screen. Drawing on The Odyssey’s trailer, learners will consider filmmaking techniques across cinematography, sound, costuming and casting to analyse what makes this cinematic retelling truly epic.

The resource includes:
1 x PowerPoint presentation
1 x Lesson plan
Teaching notes
1 x Epic Language activity sheet
1 x Everyday to Epic competition sheet
Enter the Everyday to Epic competition

Inspired by the grand scale of The Odyssey, our summer competition challenges learners to reimagine an everyday event from their life as an epic story. Students can choose their preferred medium – drawing, filmmaking, or writing. In just 6 illustrated panels or shots, or 600 words, they should channel the vision, innovation and ambition of Christopher Nolan to make the everyday epic.

The best entry will win a brand-new Apple iPad and Sony ZV-E10 vlogging camera, and two runners up will each receive a The Odyssey merchandise pack.

Full judging and eligibility details can be found at on our ‘Everyday to Epic’ competition page.

Submit entries ahead of the closing date of Friday 4 September 2026. Terms and conditions apply.