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organize a SCREENINg
how does it work?
Organizing a screening means that you essentially buy the rights to screen, promote and sell tickets to No One Told Me at a time, date and venue of your choice. You can make it a free screening and act as a sponsor of the event or recoup the screening and cinema rental fees by selling tickets. Wether you are an individual, an independent professional, a group of friends or an organization, I hope this information makes you feel empowered to bring No One Told Me to your community and facilitate a meaningful conversation about the postpartum experience and postpartum care.
getting started
Are you lucky to still have an independent theatre in your town? Start there! They often offer rentals for a reasonable price. Next; check if they have a slot available that would work for your community, more about that below. After that, think about who could be on the panel to discuss postpartum care in your community. Finally think about promotion. Below I've shared some insights and lessons learned from my recent experiences of organizing film screenings. Pick what resonates and leave out what doesn't. You know best what works in your community. If you run into any issues or questions please contact me - Zulilah - at info@merryfilm.com
venue
minimum requirements
- A cinema venue that screens DCP format - Digital Cinema Package - this is not negotiable.
venue rental cost
- Venue rental here in Maine has been between $300 and $400 for small local cinema's with around 100 seats. I'm sure this price fluctuates in different parts of the country.
- Sometimes you can do a deal with the cinema where you split ticket sales 50/50 and avoid rental fees altogether.
worth checking
- Check if the cinema can download the DCP or of they need a physical drive mailed to them (extra cost for shipping)
- Can they facilitate a panel after the screening? Ask for a minimum of 2 mics, one of which wireless for audience participation.
- Do they have chairs available for the panel?
- Can they sell tickets for you online? It's worth checking what the fees are for this - fees can be steep! In Maine I've been selling tickets for $15.
pick a date
- Weekend afternoons have worked well for me. But you are of course free to pick any time and day of the week.
- Big lesson for me > leave yourself enough time to promote the film. I would recommend a minimum of 6 weeks, 8 weeks is better.
organise a PANEL
panel
A panel of three people works well in my experience. Try to find people with different backgrounds. A home birth midwife, a doula, an OBGYN, a chapter leader for La Leche League in your state. I've always enjoyed the back and forth between audience and panel members.
moderator
Don't forget about a moderator. Are you the one that can introduce the film? Tell the audience why you wanted to bring No One Told Me to your community? And facilitate the conversation after the screening?
back-ups
Also think of back-ups. You never know if someone can't make it and it is nice to be prepared (also learned this the hard way). It is stressful to find replacements a day before the event. Avoid if you can!
promotion
materials
- A digital folder with stills, poster design files, trailer and text is available to help you create promotional material.
- Digital shares on social media work really well. I also enjoy spreading a few posters around town and chatting with people about the film along the way (printed at the local print shop).
allies
You need allies to promote an event effectively. People who are willing and able to express in their own words why they think everyone should see this film.
- Which organizations, professionals and people can support you with promotion? It's good but not essential to get buy-in before confirming the event.
- Example organizations: Schools, daycares, birth centers, hospitals, libraries, non-profits and art centers all have digital newsletters and usually an information board where you can put up a poster.
- Example individuals: The most effective thing for me has been influential individuals and organizations sharing the event with a personal message on social media. For example the midwife that has been delivering babies for 20 years in your town - or the local doula with 3000 followers on instagram. If these people say that this is an important film to see - people will come!
watch no one told me
If you don't live in Maine, chances are you haven't been able to see No One Told Me. I am happy to share 1 screener with you so you can watch the film online. When you decide to organize a screening you will receive an additional 3 screener links for panel members.
screening fee
The screening fee for one screening at a time, date and location of your choosing is $600. Add shipping cost if the venue needs a physical harddrive with the DCP file on it sent to them. If you can not afford the screening fee, please get in touch - I'm happy to work something out if needed. Once the screening agreement has been signed and the screening fee is paid in full, the DCP will be made available to the contact at the cinema (digital download or shipped).
checklist
1. Contact local cinema, find out cost, pick and confirm a screening time and date.
2. Get a panel together and pick a moderator, consider a backup moderator and or panel members.
3. Think about promotion and contact people and organizations to see if they are willing to share the event.
4. Sign screening agreement with Zulilah from Merry Film
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