Turn a Film Screening into Fundraising Success

From the film’s creators:

SENTENCED is an immersive and vulnerable exploration of the epidemic of childhood illiteracy through a series of braided character driven stories. Executive produced and narrated by 4x NBA basketball champion Stephen Curry.

SENTENCED has been designed to launch 1,000,000 volunteers into early childhood literacy. Filmed from the point of view of ethnically diverse adults and children who have never learned to read, SENTENCED is a forceful yet tender tale of how literacy can free children from the cycles of generational poverty.

Or…

SENTENCED is a world-class documentary about the growing crisis of illiteracy in America that ends with hope. Together with the creator’s of SENTENCED, we are hosting a local showing of the film to both learn about the literacy crisis from a national and local perspective and to inspire our community to fight for literacy for ALL.

SENTENCED is no longer available on Peacock, however, private screenings offer an opportunity for organizations to engage their communities, raise awareness, and inspire direct action through volunteerism and donations. Please make sure your literacy organization is signed up with us as a partner so that we can direct people towards you, whether you host a screening or not.

The ultimate goal of SENTENCED is to spread awareness and promote advocacy in the cause of early childhood literacy to as many people as possible. We ask that your screening accomplishes two things:
1) Make a serious impact in expanding/supporting the literacy work in your area and
2) Promote the film beyond the event so others will see it.

Yes! We spent a million dollars making SENTENCED in order to support local organizations to raise awareness, inspire volunteerism and YES, to raise money if appropriate to your context. If you do fundraise in cooperation, connection or in co-advertising with the film, we ask that you consider a contribution (such as 15% of net donations) back to Children’s Literacy Project in light of our investment in this film.

Stephen has been very generous to lend his name, his voice and his production company to the documentary SENTENCED.

What that means for you, is you can mention Stephen Curry in conjunction with SENTENCED in any of your promotional communications. You cannot however, co-opt Stephen Curry name or likeness in any endeavors outside of the film. For example:

Appropriate:‍“We are proud to host a showing of SENTENCED, produced and narrated by 4x NBA champion, Stephen Curry.  SENTENCED is…

Inappropriate:‍“Stephen Curry supports Organization X and the work that we do.  Stephen encourages you to give generously to Program Y.”

• Audiences tend to be silent at the end of the film. It is a lot to process.

• The conversion rate to “signing up” is often high.  They will sign up through our national QR code strategy (which means they will be redirected back to your local organization(s)) and/or sign-up with you directly.

• If you have a panel discussion with Questions and Responses, audiences might ask for:

  • Specifics about your local literacy needs, particularly among children.

  • Host an information table.

  • The societal impacts of illiteracy.

  • The social/justice implications of illiteracy.

  • The story of the making of such an intense and intimate film (we will provide answers for this.)

  • The story of the subjects, specifically they may want to be reassured that the filmmakers had reciprocal relationships with all the film’s subjects and everyone involved proudly wanted to tell their stories to help future generations.  Trust was established before any cameras were turned on.
    
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SENTENCED is a soaring cinematic experience.  The higher the quality of the projection, sound system and acoustics, the more impactful the showing will be.

In most locations we advocate to show the film in a movie theater that is specifically designed for this high quality of a film.  There may be a partnership with a national theater chain in the works.  If not, most theaters are open to a one-night or limited showing for a fee/ticket profit-sharing arrangement.  Also consider locally-owned theaters and art houses. In some locations the best place may be a private venue like a university auditorium or a church with a sophisticated audio/visual system.

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• As with any theatrical event, people will arrive early to get a good seat and possibly refreshments (provided by the public venue or the hosting organization.)

• Everyone will be greeted by one of your staff/volunteers and take their seats.

• If appropriate, a greeting table with relevant materials (e.g. programs)

• Don’t be surprised if there is applause and don’t be surprised if people sit silent and unmoving.

• Have someone thank everyone for coming.

• Communicate, if you wish, the need and cause in your area

• If appropriate, curate a panel discussion for 15-20 minutes after the show (if you plan on a panel at the end, communicate that during your welcoming remarks before showtime to set expectations.)
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