• One day before the screening, check that all audio and visual equipment are working with the film that you’re going to show. Ensure that guests can see and hear the film from any location within the space.

  • Ensure that you’ve placed sufficient, clear signage directing guests to your venue. Or have people on your team assigned to lead your guests to the venue.

  • Have the person in your team in charge of documentation arrive early, prepared to take photos and videos of the event.

  • On the day of screening, have enough copies of the program flyer to give out as guests arrive.

  • Have a welcoming table with sign-in sheets where guests can leave their names, email addresses, and contact numbers. This table can also have petitions to sign and membership forms to join organizations/campaigns.

  • Make an introduction of your organization and film being screened, while thanking the audience and any sponsors.

  • Prepare a donation box that can be passed around to raise funds for the campaign or help alleviate the cost of hosting the screening.

  • Facilitate a discussion on the issue highlighted in the film. Remind participants that your event is not about debate, but dialogue. Ask the audience to “actively” listen, without interrupting the speaker. The facilitator should also consider rephrasing comments by audience members to ensure they are understood.

  • End the discussion by summarizing the main ideas that came up while maintaining a positive outlook.

  • Remind people of the follow-up action they can take. The audience can be asked to act immediately on certain kinds of online actions, such as  liking a Facebook page or sharing a post/tweet to a petition.

  • Wrap-up by thanking everyone for their attendance and participation, and announce the details of any future screening so that they can help spread the word. Ask guests to approach your team personally if they have any further questions or suggestions.

>> 4. After the Screening >>