How to Host an
Online Short Film Festival
Films can touch on topics, emotions and longings in a way that simple conversation does not. As we watch these films together, we are not just looking at something– we are experiencing the story together. Films give us a shared experience, and can help us connect with people that we may not have been able to connect with otherwise.
Using short films in a small group is a fun, relational and non-confrontational way to gather a few friends and connect on a deeper level. (Recommend no more than 6-7 people). It gives people a chance to talk about significant topics in a safe environment in the context of community. These discussions are about topics we all relate to, yet they open the door to deeper conversations, and build a bridge for you to share on a spiritual level at a later date.
You can show any amount of films- you can start with one, followed by a longer discussion time, or show a few with discussions in between. It is a time for deeper conversation where everyone can be heard, and where you can all grow in your relationship with each other. It is also a great time to see where God is already working in each person’s life.
You will share a series of short films, with breaks between films to discuss the films and their themes, with specific preplanned questions.
Step 1: Invite your friends
This is an informal event, so it’s best to approach it that way.
Examples:
“Hey! A friend of mine works for a film company, and showed me some of their stuff. I thought it might be
fun to have a few of us get together and have our own ‘movie night’.
“I ran across some cool short films today on YouTube. They had some questions with them, I thought it would
be interesting for a few of us to talk about them together.”
Use your own natural words, however you would normally ask someone to watch something.
Step 2: Logistics
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Make sure everyone knows how to access your chosen digital meeting space or has the invite/link to connect
to. Get a Zoom account, or whatever platform you will use, and send out invitation/links.
You will be the host, discussion leader and tech person all in one. If you are hosting, make sure you have the
proper access to show a film from your screen, the ability to mute people during the films etc.
Test your computer/zoom program/etc. to insure they are working. Turn off Wi-Fi for all other devices
around you to maximize your connection.
Make sure you have your films already downloaded or YouTube is queued up and available to share on your
screen! Check the quality of your films. Check to see if high quality plays well, or if lower quality loads on WiFi better or not.
Make sure you have good sound, Wi-Fi, lighting and even a background that is inviting and not too distracting.
An ethernet cable is best for your connection, to avoid any lag or crash. Make sure you are in a quiet place,
one where you will most likely not be interrupted.
Step 3: Short Film Online Viewing Party/Small Group
Before you start, consider how people know each other, and decide how you will handle the start time.
Before you start, consider how people know each other, and decide how you will handle the start time.
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When everyone logs on, briefly reiterate what you are doing together.
For example: “I feel like I am living on Zoom now! I am online all the time these days, and am so much more
‘connected’ than I was ever before. But even though I’m online, and seeing everyone’s faces, I actually feel
more disconnected than ever. You know what I mean? So I thought it would be fun to look at some of these
together, talk about something other than work or the virus.”
Transition into a brief intro time if ppl don’t know each other. Then…
Introduce the first film. Tell them the name of the film, and the running time. Resist the urge to say what the
film is about, just keep it short. “Enjoy the film”!
Show 1st film. (**Host mutes all participants)
After the film ends, move into your questions. (See list of films and questions below). Good questions are
essential to a good conversation. And good listening is vital! Decide before hand how long you want the
discussion to go after each film, if the timing is flexible etc.
To transition to the next film, simply introduce it with the film’s name and running time. Repeat steps 3 and
4 for each film.
Finish strong. Before the last film, let them know it is the last film. Give them a few extra minutes in their
discussion. In closing, thank them for coming, and ask them which film they liked the best. Ask why. Finish
on a light note, letting them know you appreciate the discussion, and would love to talk more offline.
Keep track of what films you watch, which ones they liked best, what generated the best conversations. Maybe have them vote for which film they like best.
Take note if someone says something spiritual, or something you want to follow up with at a later time. And please… follow up with them!
Discussion Questions Between Films
The following pages contain some examples of questions you can ask during your short film small group. Good questions lead to good conversations! You can contextualize these questions to fit your group, your purpose and environment. Good questions are important, but listening to their response is vital.
Your goal in asking specific questions is to create a conversation that surfaces deeper needs, which will help you identify who is interested in spiritual things. It is usually not appropriate to share the full Gospel during this time; rather, it is a time to build a bridge to spiritual topics that you can explore with them more privately.
These questions and the context of a film festival are different from those questions on the app, as well as different from how we use short films one on one for direct evangelism, (See “How to use short films in Evangelism training.”).
You can find the films on the Jesus Film App, Globalshortfilmnetwork.com (GSFN), or on YouTube.
Ctrl-Z (Jesus Film App, YouTube, GSFN)
Every film tells a story. What to do you think the filmmaker was trying to communicate?
Can you relate to the moment the keyboard was being repaired? How?*
Why do most people want to re-do things in our lives? (regret, sorrow, etc.)
How do people in your culture handle regret? (Do they talk about it? Do they ignore it? Turn to hobbies, to
religion etc. **
Introduce the film with how you really feel about it and ask a genuine question.
Heartstrings (YouTube, GFSN)
What emotions did you feel watching the film?
What do you think the filmmaker is trying to communicate? Why?
Why do most people want to re-do things in our lives? (regret, sorrow, etc.)
Why did their strings eventually break?
How do emotions or broken relationships get ‘fixed’ in your culture?*
Venia (Jesus Film App, YouTube, GFSN)
What moment touched you (good or bad). Why?*
What do you think you would have done in the son’s situation? What would you want him to do if you were in
the father’s place?
Is it common or uncommon in your culture to say the words “do you forgive me”, or say “I forgive you”– or
neither? Why do you think that is so?
Delight (Jesus Film App, GSFN)
What part of the film stands out to you (or surprises you? ) What did you think would happen?
How did the film make you feel? Why?
Which character do you most relate to? Why?
Have you ever felt loved like that? By who?
La Liberte
Where do you think the man’s freedom came from?
How did the man respond to his situation at first? Why did it change as the film went on?
Do you think your generation is more free than your parents’ generation? Not just politically, but emotionally,
personally, spiritually, etc.?
What do you think the man was going to do at the end of the film?
What would you have done?
Arctic Circle (GSFN)
What do you think the box represents?
Why was the man intrigued by it?
Why does he turn into the box? What do you think that means?
Doll Face
What do you think this film is about?
Do you think people in your culture are content with who they are/ what they look like? Why, why not?
Where or how do people look for fulfillment here in your culture?
The Camera (GSFN)
How did this film make you feel? Why?
What do you think the film maker was trying to communicate through this film?
What do you think the camera represents?
What do you think happens to the girl at the end? Why?
Jaiku Leiba
The film maker is trying to tell a story. When do you think the story turned around?
Do you agree with the note “Nothing is broken forever”? Why or why not?
How do people in your culture/city deal with ‘brokenness’?
How about in your family?
Black Hole (GSFN)
What did you think would happen at the end?
What would you have used the black hole for?
Where do people in your culture get their sense of right and wrong?
Flow
What do you think the water from the faucet represents? What about from the toilet?
Why does the man use the toilet water rather than the sink water?
Metaphorically, have you seen people drink ‘toilet water’? What do you think motivates their choice to drink
toilet water?
How do you get a friend to see they are drinking bad water (doing something that isn’t good for them), when
something better is available?
