Check out a preview of the application below.
1. Please share your organization’s mission statement and priorities. What are you hoping to accomplish in your community with regards to environmental justice? How do you usually organize in your community?
2. We are aiming to host each series in a rural area or small town that is directly affected by polluting industries or climate driven natural disasters, and/or areas abandoned by extractive energy industries or transitioning to other more sustainable approaches. How does your community fit this description?
3. What is your organization’s current approach to showing documentary films in your advocacy and work in the community? Have you hosted film screenings in your community before? In-person or virtually? If you do not have any previous experience with film, please share that as well. In addition to welcoming applications from those who have experience with using film, we also welcome applications and participation by people for whom this is a new skill and approach.
4. What would you like to learn about showing existing documentaries and other films to advance your work/organizing? (Note: we’re talking about using films that are already made, NOT making new films). Are there any specifics you’d like to learn to ensure your film screenings move your community to action and ultimately advance your organizing?
5. Selected applicants will host a series of 4-6 film screening events in their community. Why do you want to host a film series in your community in 2023? What are your main goals for a film series? What do you hope to accomplish with the series? Please note that if selected, we will just use this as a jumping off point. We don’t expect you to have everything figured out at this moment, and we know goals and visions can change!
6. Do you have ideas of specific films you would like to screen in 2023? Or ideas for types of films you’d like to screen? Please note that Working Films does not have a preselected film library – you are free to choose any film that is available for community screenings. Also, if you or your organization made a film, and you’d like to screen it, that’s great! But, try to think beyond that as well. What other films do you want to bring to your community?
7. Who makes up the base or constituency of your organization and/or organizing? Who are the audiences you are trying to reach with this series? How will film events better help you reach these specific audiences and engage community members in meaningful or actionable dialogue?
8. Rural Cinema is committed to supporting organizations and individuals that reflect and/or are accountable to the communities they organize and work with. Tell us a little about how you and your colleagues’ lived experience impacts the community-based work you do.
9. Are you, and another local collaborator, able to commit to the time required for this program? This could be you and another member of your organization, or yourself and a community leader. This commitment will include both of you attending four, two hour virtual trainings over the spring and participating in the planning & implementation of multiple (4-6) film events throughout 2023. See description of program elements for full details on required commitments at this link. Please also include the name of your second collaborator with your answer.