Find a venue or choose a virtual platform
Will your screening be virtual or in-person? If it will be in-person, where do you want to show the film? You might have your own space or you might ask a local theater, public library, school auditorium, lecture hall, co-working space, church facility, or community center. These spaces may have a nominal fee or may be made available free of charge if the venue can be an event sponsor.
Find out if they have projection equipment — a projector, laptop with reliable wifi-access, and some type of screen and speaker system is usually all you need. If you would like to have a virtual screening, you will need to decide on the platform best suited for your audience.
Note: If you would like to cover the costs of a film screening in a local theater or other venue, you may find that local agricultural or environmental organizations will pitch in some funds to sponsor and/or co-host. Local unions are also good potential sponsors since farmers are unquestionably labour, even if they are not formally unionized, and local unions are often very community-minded.
Plan your program
Consider this screening as a community building opportunity to connect with folks and have conversations. Choose to screen a film that resonates with your areas of interest by exploring what’s available. The NFU will provide a host package including a script, a basic programming guide, a toolkit to help promote your event, a few more resources, and questions to initiate discussion with attendees. You may have some discussion questions of your own that are most relevant locally.
We can also suggest different programming options to help structure your event. For example:
- Show one Depth of Field short doc, followed by a conversation/panel/Q&A with tapas, nibbles, snacks – good food makes staying in conversation irresistible.
- Show multiple short docs for a mini farm-movie-marathon.
- Show a few at your local Seedy Saturday.
- Show a few short docs at an upcoming gathering – a conference, your AGM, etc
How do I promote a community screening?
Plan your publicity strategy
How will people find out about the screening? Will you create a Facebook page and/or Eventbrite? Print postcards or put up posters? Phone people? E-mail them? Getting people out to an event is a big job, so you need to have a plan.
You will be best served by convening a committee of people, ideally 5-10, to maximize promotion.
The National Film Board has found that ticketed events, even $5 a ticket, increase attendance, but it is up to you whether you want to charge for tickets, request donations, or simply show the films.
- 4 weeks before
Create a Facebook event and/or Eventbrite for free and share widely via email, social media and text messages.- Send the event link directly to partners, local media, friends, family and invited guests, and ask them to share as well.
- Post the link to community forums and online groups. If you are postering or mailing out invitations, put up posters and mail the invitations now.
- If you are phoning people to invite them, now is the time to phone.
- If you are lining up speakers, moderators, or inviting prominent people in the community, do so now.
- 3-2 weeks before
Make sure to post about the event 1-2x per week on social media tagging @nfucanada @march_forth_creative and using hashtags: #nfucanada #unfcanada #depthoffield #laprofondeurdechamp #cdnag #agcan.- Ask people to RSVP and share on their own social channels. Add “Please share” (because, as much as we all imagine people will share organically, it is proven that they share very little unless they are directly asked.)
- Continue to phone individuals if you can – this goes a long way to filling seats.
- 1 week before
Ask event partners to promote again on their channels.- Post about the event 1-2x per week on social with a call to RSVP.
- Email your friends & family again, asking them to RSVP and share with their network.
- Post an event reminder in the event discussion. Call the venue, speakers, caterer, photographer etc., to confirm all plans.
- 1 day before
Post, text, call and email a final event reminder to generate excitement that the event is “happening tomorrow!” - Day Of
At the event, assign someone to take action shots of people setting up, arriving, smiling and engaging with each other. These photos are great to post live from behind-the-scenes of the event. Please tag @nfucanada when you do.
How do I get the film files?
See column F of this document to acquire the high resolution film files, free of charge with no licensing fee necessary.
Contact us at nfu@nfu.ca if you have any questions or would like cross-promotion support.
What will the NFU do?
We would love to support you in organizing a film screening! We’re here to discuss the process and the film(s) you want to screen, and help you realize the vision for your film screening.
- We will provide you the links to the films: see column F of this document to acquire the high resolution film files, free of charge with no licensing fee necessary.
- We can also promote your screening on our social media pages and Events page, which you may link to from your website or social media pages. For promotional support, submit your event details here.
*Please remember to acknowledge the National Farmers Union (NFU) in your promotion.
Frequently Asked Questions
What film formats are available?
We want audiences to have the best audiovisual experience possible. Whether your screening is virtual or in-person. We can supply e-mail electronic files (.mp4 or .mov) and/or provide streaming links.
Does the NFU provide promotional material?
For promotional support, submit your event details here.
*Please remember to acknowledge the National Farmers Union (NFU) in your promotion.
Events Page: We will promote your screening on our Events page, which you can use to promote your screening directly, or provide a link to it from your website or social media pages.
Social Media: If you create a Facebook Event page for your screening, simply include the NFU as a co-host; this will allow us to share your event among our social media followers too. On Instagram, you may invite @nfucanada as a collaborator to your post.
Is there a cost?
The NFU does not impose a cost to show these films at this time. You may encounter costs with facility rentals; ticket fees; food; etc. See column F of this document to acquire the high resolution film files, free of charge with no licensing fee necessary.
Charging Admission: You may choose to host a free event, request donations, or charge admission. Please speak to the NFU staff about your plan.
Proceeds from your event may be used to cover your expenses. Net proceeds after expenses can support a non-profit organization, but cannot be used for individual or corporate gain. We encourage you to direct net proceeds to support the NFU nationally, regionally or at the Local level or support the National Farmers Foundation’s The World We Want campaign.
How far in advance do I need to book my screening?
As described above, you will want at least two months to plan and promote your event. You will need time to get the word out and to test the films using your equipment. If there are any technical issues, this will allow for time to resolve them.
What if I need help selecting a film or film program?
We have many short films to select from as part of this project, so you will want to select the right films for your audience. Do you want to feature a particular commodity, production method or province? See column F of this document to acquire the high resolution film files, free of charge with no licensing fee necessary.
