FAQs for screening hosts

What is the film file format?
The film will be uploaded to your Kinema account 3 days prior to your event with clear instructions of how to download and run the film sent to you directly. The file size is 6GB. Instructions can also be found here: https://support.kinema.com/en/articles/7212406-offline-player-guide-technical-specifications

Cinemas / theatres using DCP - this will be uploaded via Lansat with a KDM emailed to you at least 5 days prior to your event. You will also have access to a trailer DCP.

What equipment do I need to show the film (not DCP)?
We recommend a minimum of:

  • HD (1080p) projection plus at least 72” screen if possible

  • Separate stereo sound system

  • And you must have wired HDMI connection, not wireless

If you do not have this equipment already installed, talk to people who have run film screenings previously in your local area who can help you find a supplier, or join up with a venue that does have the equipment, e.g. independent cinemas, churches, community centres, pubs

Can we view the film prior to hosting an event?
We have made the decision not to share the film prior to events. If you have any particular concerns about the content, we are happy to address them

How do I find publicity materials like a poster, images, press release etc?
Go to our publicity materials folder

Where do the profits go from the ticket sales?
If you are donating some of your profits to Springtail Productions CIC, we are hugely grateful. These funds will help us deliver our community screenings programme across the world which we hope will help to bring change to the food and farming system. Most of us are working on a pro bono basis to do this.

Is the film BBFC rated?
Yes the film has a PG rating – certificates can be found in the publicity materials folder

I'm not in the UK, but can I still host a screening?
It depends where you are and what kind of screening you wish to hold. We are in the process of submitting the film to international film festivals, which restricts are ability to show it publicly outside the UK until later in the year.

Can any of the Six Inches of Soil team attend my event?
Due to the high demand, the team are spread incredibly thin, so unless there are exceptional circumstances, they are unlikely to be able to attend. If they are available, the film director or producer would charge a £200 fee plus expenses to attend.

Can I pay on Kinema in GBP?
Kinema is a global platform based in the US so all transactions are in USD. We carried out a huge amount of research to find the platform best suited to an independent film and Kinema came out top.

HOW DO I RUN A PANEL DISCUSSION?
This part of your event is almost as important as the film! We’ve already run several screenings now, and are keen to share our learning with you on how to best run the panel/discussion/Q&A session.

Timing

  • It is a good idea to have 5-10 minutes after the end of the film for your audience to process the content and frame their thoughts before you begin the panel

  • 40-60 mins is a good amount of time for panel discussions and don’t forget to leave at least 10-20 minutes of this for Q&A

  • Leaving enough time after the session for continuing the conversation is important – this is the part where real magic can happen!

The panel chair is key

  • You will need an experienced chair who can structure the session, weave the conversation together and field questions effectively

  • Arrange to have a conversation with all panel members together if possible at least a few days before the event (online if not local), this will help with understanding each other and aid the flow of the session

  • Suggest at the start of the Q& A that this is not a platform for the audience to make statements, it is an opportunity for curiosity and discussion

  • Make sure the session finishes on a hopeful note – hope is vital to change

Panel members

  • We suggest 3-4 is a good number, any more can become unwieldy

  • You should consider a mix of viewpoints to preferably include:

    • an agroecological/regenerative farmer who is also a good speaker – if you don’t know anyone, you can check for someone local to you through NFFN or Pasture for Life

    • someone who has a good understanding of the wider food system – if you don’t know anyone, get in touch with your local Sustainable Food Place

Themes

These are just some suggestions for themes for your panel discussion:

  • What are the hurdles to transitioning to regenerative agriculture and why aren’t more farmers doing it?

  • Landscape scale change - collaborations and clusters

  • Is our soil healthy or unhealthy?

  • Impact on nature - biodiversity, rivers & seas

  • Food supply chains - local, regional, national

  • Access to land, especially for young people

  • Local focus topics, e.g. flooding

  • Climate change - e.g. how much carbon can be sequestered through soil?

  • What can we do as individuals?

Questions

Questions people are asking are hugely varied depending on the panel and audience, but here are some of the common ones:

  • What about supermarkets?

  • Where can I buy regeneratively produced food in this area?

  • Is there funding for transitioning to regenerative farming?

  • How can I get started in my own garden?