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"Evil can only exist when good people
do nothing"
Mohandas K. Ghandi
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What is OPEN CINEMA?
OPEN CINEMA (OC) is a non-profit society based in Victoria,
British Columbia founded in September 2003 with a mission to screen thought-provoking socially relevant films and cross-platform programming, inspiring community conversation and grassroots action, furthering the
role of filmmaking as a tool for social innovation.
OPEN CINEMA (OC) is first and foremost a community networking opportunity for the social
issues of our time. OC uses the powerful and popular medium of film to inform and mobilize individuals and organizations around shared interests, inspiring community conversation and
grassroots action, furthering the role of documentary filmmaking as a tool for social innovation and change.
More than just a screening, OC provides a much-needed showcase for topical and recently released documentaries, provides
an artist's screening fee to the filmmaker, introduces a social context to film watching, and creates a unique cross-platform
networking opportunity for the stakeholders, interested parties and curious bystanders who share a common social concern.
Founded in 2003 by documentary editor and filmmaker Mandy Leith, OC has successfully completed 2 seasons of monthly
community screenings in Victoria, BC cafes and restaurants. These popular accessible events are well attended by an average of 100 people each month and given generous press attention.
Since September 2003, OC has maintained a monthly screening series of thought-provoking
documentaries followed by an open forum discussion with filmmakers, local activists, organizations and individuals. In addition to this, OC has organized several Special Presentations, including inviting NYC
filmmaker Stephen Marshall (GNN) in October 2004 and partnering with the Victoria Independent Film and Video Festival in February 2005 to present an innovative cross-platform event with a live Internet component.
These popular community screening events have been an outstanding success, consistently drawing capacity crowds of
between 80 – 130 people of all ages (we estimate 70% are unique to each screening), sizeable at-the-door donations ranging
from $300 to $750 per screening, audience feedback and significant local press (CBC, NewVI, CH 'GO!', Times Colonist, Focus
Magazine, Monday Magazine, The Martlet, Victoria News Group and DOC's POV Magazine (Summer 05). Further details available upon request.
OC has received financial assistance from the National Film Board of Canada, BC Spirit of BC Arts Funding Program, Capital Regional District Arts Development Program, the City of Victoria and in-kind sponsorship from
CineVic, MediaNet, Victoria Film Producers' Association, Metropol Event Poster Services,
Media That Matters, Small Potatoes Urban Delivery (SPUD), Harbour Air Seaplanes, the
Greater Victoria Film Commission, Hollyhock and the Feast of Fields. In addition, OC is currently developing partnerships with the following organizations: Documentary Organization of Canada,
CineClix Online Distribution, Dogwood Initiative and the BC Sustainable Energy Association.
OC's philosophy is firmly rooted in the spirit of grassroots community cooperation and collaboration. OC's vision includes
exploring the use of film, video, the Internet as a conduit for community-building, forming a collaborative global network for
locally-owned community screening initiatives, and developing alternative funding and distribution models for documentary film (see OC Vision).
OC's current challenge is to secure the funds to develop a sustainable infrastructure that will support these initiatives. The
interest from audiences, the filmmaking community and press alike suggest that OC has developed a solid, innovative yet simple idea that has great potential as a community-building, cross-platform networking collaborative.
For further details, please contact:
Mandy Leith
Executive Director and Founder
1.250.385.3003 home/office
1.250.882.7441 cell
opencinema@shaw.ca
www.opencinema.ca
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