Social Cinema

Facilitation guide for hosting a 99p films social cinema night

By Alex Fish

Hosting a 99p Films Social Cinema Night is a powerful way to foster community connections, inspire action, and encourage meaningful discussion. Here is a step-by-step guide to facilitate a respectful thought provoking audience-led discussion.

1. Breathe

Start with a short mindful breathing exercise, such as closing your eyes and breathing through your nose for a few minutes. This will put everyone in a better frame of mindset for an open and respectful discussion.

2. Watch

Depending on the film you watch, it can be good to come up with a few slides with questions. Especially if you’re wanting to achieve a certain goal or direction with the discussion. If led by the film makers this can be a good chance to hear direct feedback too!

3. Discuss

Explain how the discussion will work and the intention behind it - There is no right or wrong answer. This is a place to share ideas, thoughts and feelings with your community in a respectful way. Expect disagreement!

Establish ground rules for the discussion - No personal attacks, racism, sexism or interrupting of speakers.

Ice (cream) breaker - What are your general thoughts?

Ask the audience to look to their left or right, in front or behind, to find someone to chat to, that they ideally didn’t arrive with. Starting small and encouraging everyone to chat 1-on-1 with an open question allowing the audience to share their initial thoughts and feelings, about what they have just watched in a more intimate and less intimidating way.

Useful hand signals to teach at the start - Raising your hand to silence the room after the ice breaker. When the audience sees this they should follow suit, raising their hand and staying silent. Circle your hands if someone is rambling on or hogging the conversation, use a circular hand gesture to wrap up. If they continue cut them off by using a phrase such as “Let’s hear what someone else has to say.”

Now open it up to the room - It’s common for there to be a pause before the first hand goes up, embrace the silence. A silent room does not mean a silent mind. Allow the audience a moment to collect their thoughts and to think about what they wish to say. Once the first person begins, the discussion will naturally gain momentum.

Things to remember as a facilitator

• remain neutral and control your bias. This is not the facilitators show, it is a space where everyone has a voice with collective ownership of the space. The facilitator is a guide and the mediator to making this a smooth process.
• Refrain from giving direct views and instead turn everything into a question directed back at the audience.
• “Question everything!”
• Value audience members insight - “Thank you for sharing that”
• If someone has already spoken, ensure someone who hasn’t spoken yet gets a chance to contribute.

4. Eat

Continue the conversation around a communal FEAST! “Let’s eat part of the solution”

Community is at our core, which is why we've incorporated as a C.I.C. Our mission is not only to inspire and provide a wholesome evening for our audiences but to benefit several stakeholders: Including Filmmakers, students, local farmers, chefs, wellness practitioners and others all using their unique skills to cultivate positive change.