Family & Friends - Hosting Manual
Let us clarify things
Who is this event directed toward?
Family & Friends Screenings are a good fit for:
- Families and groups of friends
- Farmers and farming communities
- Rural residents
- Neighbourhood groups
- Community organizations
- Churches and faith communities
- Agricultural organizations
- Local service clubs
- People interested in food systems and land access
- Anyone curious about the future of farming in Canada
What time should the event start?
7:00PM.
The event needs to start early enough to allow for at least an hour of discussion following the screening and to avoid participants growing tired.
A weekend afternoon starting at 2:00 PM is also a good option.
How long does the event last?
Invite your guests for a gathering of ~3-4 hours in length. People have kids and early morning commutes – it’s perfectly okay if they trickle out early!
The film is roughly 100 minutes, and discussions work best when there is at least an hour to allow for discourse (and sometimes friendly debate!).
Are there breaks?
There certainly can be.
The most natural break is between the film screening and the discussion, but we can schedule an intermission if requested.
Do I have to provide food?
No.
But food brings people together, so it is a nice gesture if you are able to do so.
Arranging a potluck with your guests (so that they also bring snacks / a dish to share) is a great way to make this possible without the pressure of having to cook for a group.
Do I need to provide a screen & projector?
No.
Devon travels with everything needed to project the film, including a projector, a 12ft screen, and a PA speaker.
What do I need to provide?
- A space to host the screening.
- Enough seating for the people you invite.
- Access to electricity.
- Access to WiFi.
- If you are providing food: napkins and utensils.
What kind of space do I need?
It depends how many people you invite.
A medium-to-large living room or an old barn is suitable for a typical neighbourhood gathering. The limiting factor is usually the 12’ screen, so if you have a smaller space, it may be beneficial if you can provide a TV instead.
The space itself needs about 15’ of wall space for the screen, and enough seats for everyone you invite.
A community hall is also a suitable venue to host an event, if your personal space is too small for the number of guests you are anticipating (many are inexpensive or free for community members).
If you intend to screen during daylight hours, it’s important that there aren’t too many windows, or there are curtains to block direct sunlight. Too much daylight makes it hard to see the movie on the screen!
How many people can I invite?
The discussion works best with 10-15 people. Consider 20 to be the maximum.
Larger groups don’t necessarily create a better discussion – and are more work for everyone involved. If you want to host a larger group, we appreciate the enthusiasm, and we suggest hosting at a community hall, a school, or a public library. Another possibility is to partner with a local community organization that can take on the additional work that a larger event entails.
Can I charge for admission?
No.
Unfortunately, the terms of our broadcast license do not allow us to offer screenings with paid ticket sales.
If you have a specific fundraising or ticketing idea in mind, please contact us before advertising the event and we'll let you know what is possible.
How do I get the word out about the event?
Firstly, invite your friends & family. Person-to-person invitations work best.
Use social media to gauge interest, but follow up in person by phone or text. Ask for positive confirmation If you want a bigger crowd. Keep it manageable.
Can The Hands That Feed Us team help with marketing materials?
Yes!
We provide an extensive press kit that includes more than you need. It includes:
- Blurbs for your friends and social media.
- The trailer for the film.
- Stills and photos from the film.
- Written synopsis and other information about the film.
In addition, we can provide customized social media posts to advertise the event, and a physical poster that you can put on your front door (or wherever you are hosting).
Can The Hands That Feed Us team help get the word out?
We can offer marketing materials, but we can’t lead the marketing for you.
We likely don’t know anyone in your area, and the event is intended for friends and family. You need not be concerned about the size of the crowd. Small, intimate events make for excellent conversations!
If you want a bigger event, we suggest partnering with a local organization (e.g. service clubs, church groups, farmers markets).