Choosing your film or book
There are lots of fictional and non-fictional stories that address inequalities or deal with similar issues. With a bit of research, you will likely find a film or book that touches on your topic, even if it is looking at it from a wider lens.
For example, you could screen 'Dispossession: The Great Social Housing Swindle' if you want to discuss the impact of deprioritising social housing for decades.
You could read Darren McGarvey’s 'Poverty Safari' if you wanted to explore the wider issue of inequalities, with the aim to discuss how it affects housing in your community.
Choosing a location
If you are hosting a film screening, it is important to find somewhere with space for projecting a film onto a wall or screen. You could consider using:
a community hall
a church room
a school gymnasium
For a book club you want to find somewhere quiet, such as a café or booking out a room in a local community centre.
Top tip! For any discussions, try to position the seats in a circle. This helps people feel more comfortable opening up.
Check licences
With books, you can all buy or borrow a copy of the book, read it and meet to discuss it.
With films, it’s slightly different. You may need a licence to screen a film publicly. You can check with the production company whether you need a licence. Some places, like some universities, have blanket licenses allowing you to screen films.
Your local community organiser can offer some advice and guidance on this.
Email housingrightsdefenders@shelter.org.uk to be connected with your local organiser.
Promote the event locally
You can:
set up a Facebook event
print leaflets
ask local organisations to help you promote your event
Practise your technology in advance
Always arrive early and check that everything is working.
Include time for discussion after your screening
If you are showing a film, ensure you are making time afterwards to have a discussion with your audience. This should cover the themes of the film and how they relate to your campaign.
Top tip! Ensure you have a clear call to action at the end of your film or book discussion. For example, you could ask people to sign a petition or join your campaign group.
Make it fun
Think about how to attract more people to come along and take part. Work with your group to have some fun and creative ‘hooks’ to encourage people to come to your event. For example, having pizza and popcorn or including a quiz with a prize.
Consider speakers
There might be people locally who are affected by this issue and want to share their experiences. Speakers can help add more weight to the issues and themes of the book or film. It also gives your audience a chance to speak to someone either working on or experiencing the issue.
You can also try reaching out to the book author or film director via social media and invite them to join the discussion virtually.