8 STEPS TO HOSTING A SUCCESSFUL FILM SCREENING

Thank you for your interest in hosting a screening of Liberating a Continent: John Paul II and the Fall of Communism. This gripping documentary illustrates the lasting mark St. John Paul II left on the world through his role in the fall of communism and the liberation of Central and Eastern Europe. The 8 steps outlined below will guide you through the process of running a film screening in your community.

STEP 1: CHOOSE YOUR AUDIENCE Is your intention to attract families, Knights of Columbus/CWL members, high school and university students — or all of the above? Take the time to build your list and get to know your audience. Then, develop your plans from there.

STEP 2: SELECT A VENUE AND A TIME/DATE Choose your venue according to the number of attendees you are hoping to attract. Cost-effective options include booking a university lecture theater, school gym, library, church or community hall. Consider the availability of your intended demographic to optimize turnout. Evening showtimes typically work best.

STEP 3: SECURE EQUIPMENT If the screening is being held in a theater or auditorium, you may already have all the equipment you need. But, if not, the following elements are required: • DVD player of laptop computer • Projector • Screen • Speakers • Chairs (be sure you have enough)

STEP 4: IDENTIFY YOUR HOST AND SPEAKERS To maximize the impact of your screening, consider inviting a subject matter expert who can lead a Q&A discussion following the film. For example, you could invite a historian who has studied the fall of communism or an academic who can speak to the impact of St. John Paul II.

STEP 5: SPREAD THE NEWS Now that you have all the essentials in place to ensure the event can move forward, it's time to get the word out. • Posters - Distribute the film poster, downloadable by clicking here, wherever you can – coffee shops, libraries, friendly independent retailers, local parishes, grocery store community bulletin boards, etc. Feel free to request print posters. • Facebook - Set up a Facebook event page listing all the relevant details: time, location, ticket price (if you are fundraising). If you like, you can share details on the film's official Facebook page. • Twitter - Send out tweets to followers about the screening to help create buzz. If you have a guest speaker coming, you can live tweet during the discussion so that others at home can follow along. Use the hashtag #jp2film and tag @jp2film. • Local event calendar listings - Post the information about your event in the event calendar listing of your local community paper or community websites. These listings are often free and accessible to all online. • Flyers – Assemble a group of friends to distribute flyers among their peers or in public spaces. Print as many as you feel they need – or ask us for some.

STEP 6: CONSIDER SELLING SNACKS TO RAISE MONEY FOR CHARIT Y To add a charitable element to your film screening — aside from potential ticket sales — consider setting up a snack stand where you can sell refreshments, popcorn and baked goods. Create a simple price list so the cost (and charitable cause) is clear to attendees.

STEP 7: SE T UP THE EVENT It's essential to do a trial run to make sure all your equipment runs smoothly and that you are familiar with using it. Ask yourself: have you checked to make sure the DVD player is working properly and that the film can be seen and heard well within the space? Set up your chairs in way that ensures optimal room flow and be sure to figure out the "front of house" logistics, such as who will be taking tickets, if applicable.

STEP 8: IT'S SHOWTIME! Arrive early on the day of the event. Create a schedule and stick to it to ensure the event doesn't run too long. Take lots of photos you can upload to social media. Share the results of your screening by emailing us at [email protected]. And prior to your screening, you're welcome to contact us to request additional materials such as posters and flyers or to discuss any aspect of your event.