SCREENING GUIDELINES

If you are reading this, you are probably thinking about holding your own community screening of a Tribe of Heart film. May many lives be touched by your efforts!

The guidelines that follow were developed through the experiences of hundreds of people holding screenings of our films in their communities over the last nine years. At Tribe of Heart, we are attempting to combine a traditional independent film release process with a coordinated grassroots outreach program. Typically, filmmakers do not allow any grassroots activity until all other forms of distribution have run their course. We, however, believe that the time has come to empower as many people as possible to be agents of peaceful change, and that the challenge of bringing these films to millions of people will only be met through the power of many hearts and minds working together.

Therefore, please understand that the guidelines below are intended solely to make the most of this extraordinary opportunity and to protect the potential of the films and our community to create peaceful change into the long term. The hybrid release process we are developing is something new, and it will evolve as we gain experience and incorporate ideas and feedback from you, our partners in this great adventure in democracy, public education, and social transformation. So we invite you to contact us with your questions, suggestions or comments — the next great idea may come from you!

Guidelines for Screenings of the Animal People Anthology Documentaries

Consistency and Cooperation
To be successful, we must work together to create a method of holding screenings that produces a viewer experience that is consistent in both quality and message, and do all we can to coordinate our mutual efforts.

Advance Registration
In order to coordinate the film's release process, permission from Tribe of Heart is required for screenings that have audiences greater than 40.

Those holding events of any size are requested to register with us well in advance, so we can keep a comprehensive record of screenings held around the country (and the world!). All registered screenings of The Witness will be published on our web site event calendar.

Publicity
In order to preserve Tribe of Heart's ability to implement a long term publicity plan for our films, please refrain from using words such as "Premiere,” etc. in association with screening events not directly run by Tribe of Heart. Please also send any press releases, e-vites, or web page content concerning screening events to Tribe of Heart for advance approval.

Fundraising
To protect the integrity of each viewer's experience, to promote unity between organizations working for change, and to maintain the educational character of screening events, public screenings of Tribe of Heart films should not be used as a vehicle for fundraising. Once a group of people has gathered in a space to view the film, we ask that no verbal solicitations for funding be made on behalf of any organization before, during or after the screening. 

Admission
In general, screenings of the films should be offered to the public without charging admission. Under special circumstances admission may be charged to cover the costs of holding events at larger venues, but you must contact Tribe of Heart for advance permission.

Printed Materials
In recognition of the diverse needs and interests of audience members, and to promote unity and solidarity, we request that any printed information offered to audiences at a screening event come from a variety of local, regional and national organizations, including at least one organization working primarily in the human rights, peace or environmental movements.

Message
Out of respect for the dignity and right of each individual animal not to be confined, mutilated, or killed, we require that no materials be distributed at screenings promoting “humane," “organic,” "cage -free," "free-range," "grass-fed" or other products of animal agriculture, as such materials run counter to the spirit of the film's message. We also require that no materials be distributed on behalf of organizations with campaigns promoting consumption of such products.

 

What about copyright?

To help us honor our agreements with those from whom we have licensed copyrighted material for inclusion in our films -- many of whom donated valuable rights -- and to safeguard our ability to negotiate agreements with broadcasters and distributors, please refrain from duplicating, translating, digitizing, transmitting or broadcasting Tribe of Heart films in any media.

Note that we do have a program in place through which you can submit The Witness to your regional PBS station

 




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