Schools will have access to films ranging from Hollywood blockbusters to foreign language titles as part of a pilot programme to bring a wider range of movies into the classroom.

The chancellor, Gordon Brown, will today launch a film-sharing initiative on a visit to a school in north-west London. The scheme aims to give 10,000 schools across the country access to up to 400 film titles.

Mr Brown said greater exposure to world cinema would deepen children's understanding of different cultures and ideas. The new programme will be known as Film Club.

He said: "We want every young person to be able to use their school facilities outside normal school hours for sport, arts, music or other constructive activities.

"Film Club is a great example of how schools can offer young people the chance to do something engaging and exciting at the end of their school day. For the first time, Film Club will allow young people to watch a much wider range of films from world cinema together and discuss them in groups.

"We all know films can inspire us to think more deeply about the world around us, learn about different experiences and cultures and think creatively about bringing our own ideas to life.

"The movies shown by Film Club can be both entertaining and educational, but, most encouragingly, they get young people talking about the issues and ideas raised and wanting to see and learn more."

Teachers and pupils will be able to access films via a website, Filmclub.org, where they will also be able to write reviews and rate the movies.

The scheme, backed by the UK Film Council and EducationGuardian, is being piloted in schools across Yorkshire, London, Kent, Surrey and Northern Ireland.

Mr Brown will be joined at St Augustine's CE high school in Kilburn this afternoon by the film director and Film Club founder Beeban Kidron as well as by the actress Thandie Newton.