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The Power of Film and Evangelism

Film is one of the most powerful forms of mass media. It stretches beyond barriers, languages, cultures, and races. It is a powerful way to share stories and tell others about them. Can we bring back film evangelism for outreach once again? Now is the timing for film evangelism outreach. A film can go into areas where most churches can’t, films can be powerful witnessing tools for soul winning.

Basics of a Film Screening Event

If we come down to the basics, a film screening event is a special day when a bunch of people from your friends or family gather at a place to watch a movie. It can be a small private event in your backyard or a grand partner at a proper screening hall. These types of events are really fun to have since they provide an immersive experience for all the attendees.

1: Pray

Pray about where the Lord will lead you to do a film outreach. Begin interceding and praying over the area where the film will be shown. Begin letting the Holy Spirit show you what areas need to be targeted.

2: Select the Venue, Date and Time

Having the perfect venue is really important when hosting a movie screening event. Finalize the number of attendees and the type of vibe you are going for. If it’s a small gathering then your living room, backyard or even garden would be sufficient. On the other hand, if you are gathering a large group of people then look for community theatres, large hall spaces, churches or an outdoor venue. Selecting the perfect date, time and weather is crucial for a successful event. Remember, that the timing should be such that it should be dark enough for the screen to be clearly visible on the screen. If you are planning an outdoor event, then go through the weather forecast and avoid any rainy or cloudy days. Your guests must know about the time schedule of the event. Make sure to send proper invites which highlight the start and end times of the movie. Leave some extra space for any pre or post-film screening events that you have planned.

3: Finalize the Setup

Once you have the guest list and the venue finalized, you will now have to select the type of equipment you need. The decor usually includes chairs and a screen. The furniture pieces depend on the vibe you are going for. For example, if the event is in a garden then you can select lounge chairs or bean bags. But, if you have a bigger event then you can go for cabaret seating or folding chairs. For the audio-visual equipment, you can rent out a professional high-definition TV and or Screen and projection equipment with the complete setup to give the ultimate sound and video experience for your guests. There is a wide variety of TV screen sizes that you can choose from depending on the scale of the event you are planning to have. Make sure you have all the necessary equipment for the event, which includes: volunteers,.

4: Selection of Movie

The essence of every film screening movie event is the perfect movie selection. Selecting a film that connects with all the guests at the event is important. It can be a casual comedy film or a thought-provoking documentary. A perfectly selected film can add more fun to the entire event.

Make Sure That Licensing Requirements Are Met

If you are planning a small home-based event then you may not need any licensing. However, a large-scale film screening event in a theatre or hall may require you to get licensed. This includes getting permission to publicly screen a movie. Most large production companies such as Sony, Lionsgate, Paramount etc. must be booked through licensing firms (listed below) based on the country that you want to show the movies in. Small production companies (Angel Studios, 5and2, etc.) and independent film makers will often issue you a license by contacting the official movie website.

5: Ticketing and Marketing

Second most important aspects is promotion and advertisement. We believe one of the best ways is by word of mouth. Internet website, social networks, text messages, flyers, posters, and postcards. Churches can show the trailer promo to the film to generate more excitement and bring family and friends to this event. Decide if you are going to charge admission to your movie, print and sell tickets in advance and at the door. You might request a donation on admission, use a fundraiser for your local food bank or pregnancy center or offer free admission.

6: Concessions

What movie event is complete without snacks? Setting up a snack station for your guests to enjoy is really important for a successful event, items like popcorn, candies, nachos, chips, and beverages. You can even add homemade snacks that are themed according to the movie about to play. Larger venues might provide concession in your contract. Be sure to negotiate if there is an option to share in the sale of concessions in your contract if that is possible. That is where most of the revenue is generated in movie theaters

7: Follow Up

Everyone loves a good story, film share their narratives that allow you to explore and connect with the characters and you identify with their lives. You find yourself drawn in because you’ve had similar hopes and dreams, disappointments and hurts, relationships and experiences. Everyone is on a journey, living out their own life story. After showing a film, you can come alongside someone in their journey by hearing their responses to the film’s story, and by exploring their story. Asking questions and genuinely listening can open a door to significant spiritual conversations. As a result of hearing their responses, God may just open a door for you to share a bit of your story, and even His story- the Gospel of Jesus Christ.