Despite the challenges of Covid19, the Meaningful Movies Project remains strong. In 2021 twenty one groups organized 74 events for over 6,500 attendees. Because almost all of the events in 2021 were online, people from across the country and around the world were able to participate.
In a time of physical isolation, the work of the Meaningful Movies Project was needed more than ever. People needed to have opportunities to learn about the most critical issues of the day – issues that aren’t always addressed in mainstream media. People needed to be provided with ways to take action on the issues that are most important to them. And people needed to know that they are not alone – and that there are people who care about the issues they care about, who want to change the world for the better, who want to support peace and justice and who are striving to build a beloved community.
We are proud that, with the support of our Meaningful Movies Project hub organization, our volunteer-run groups were able to survive and thrive during a time of deep uncertainty in our nation. In 2021, we have had new groups start in Hawaii, Virginia and California and we continue to have inquiries from people interested in forming new Meaningful Movies groups in Washington State and elsewhere in the U.S. We are also proud of the relationships that we continue to build with important partners such as Fix Democracy First, ACLU of Washington and the Social Justice Film Institute. We were thrilled to co-present the 2021 Social Justice Film Festival and hope to do so again in 2022. We are also pleased to report that one of the benefits of pivoting to online events is that more and more Meaningful Movies groups have been able to build relationships with one another and work together to cohost and organize events.
As the news regarding Covid19 gets better, we expect that local Meaningful Movies groups will continue to take advantage of all that they have learned during the past two years and that there will be both online as well as in person events.
How did we do it? How did we pivot online?
At the beginning of 2020, the Meaningful Movies Project was operating as usual and supported 38 in-person events. By March, because of increasingly concerning news about the pandemic, venues began cancelling in-person events. It is a testament to the dedication of our Meaningful Movies volunteers and venue leaders that by March 24, as many non-profits were grappling with how to fulfill their missions in the midst of the pandemic, Meaningful Movies venues were shifting to online events. On March 24th, the Mt Baker Meaningful Movies venue did their first online screening and discussion event for the film “Cooked: Survival By Zipcode.” This event provided attendees with an opportunity to learn about and discuss the ways in which systemic racism impacts who dies and who survives natural disasters. This was an especially important topic given the unequal and dangerous effects of Covid19 on communities of color.
By April, the Meaningful Movies Project was organizing an online support group for volunteers and more Meaningful Movies groups were shifting to online events. Most of these early events allowed viewers to watch films ahead of time and then join a Zoom meeting with ‘breakout rooms’ for people to discuss the films in small groups. As we have evolved over the months, groups have found a variety of ways to hold successful Meaningful Movies events. With the support of Meaningful Movies Project staff, most have used the Zoom platform for events. Some venues have used the Zoom webinar feature to stream films online; host panel discussions with activists and representatives from non-profits; and provide an opportunity for audience participation through chat and Q & A. Other venues have continued to use the Zoom meeting feature and breakout rooms for a more intimate and direct experience with attendees. In November 2020, The Meaningful Movies Project signed an agreement with ITVS and Independent Lens which also allows local Meaningful Movies groups to screen Indie Lens Pop Up movies using the OVEE platform.
No matter the online platform, or the structure of the event, all Meaningful Movies gatherings continue to use the power of social justice documentary film to educate audiences about important issues, help people find ways to take action, and build community.
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Jump into a conversationDespite the challenges of Covid19, the Meaningful Movies Project remains strong. In 2021 twenty one groups organized 74 events for over 6,500 attendees. Because almost all of the events in 2021 were online, people from across the country and around the world were able to participate.