Choosing the right movies is a vital component of your film series. It’s important to reflect your community’s unique needs and interests to draw the largest crowds. Check out the Movies & TV page on our website to view our newest releases and most popular throwbacks, get inspired by popular programming ideas, or search by genre. If you don’t have time to plan, our Account Executives are happy to create the perfect, customized movie schedule for your organization.

Once you select your title, make sure to book it with your Swank Account Executive at least two weeks prior to your event. We can work with less notice in a pinch, but it’s best to plan ahead as you cannot start promoting your event until you have a license.

SWANK TIP:
Polling is an invaluable resource for film selection. Get buy-in from your target audience by sharing polls on social media, via email or as a physical ballot distributed at other events.

“Our goal was to fill Tarkington Park with activity and bring the community together. To get everyone engaged, we offered 5 movie options and placed polls online, at local schools, and nearby businesses to allow everyone to vote on what they wanted to see.”

– Midtown Indy

If your organization lacks the necessary funds to host movie events, there are many different ways to still make them a reality for your community without straining your budget. Here are some of our favorite tips:

• Reach Out to Local Businesses for Sponsorship. Approach local businesses with an opportunity to purchase advertising at your event. You can run commercials before the film., include logos on your promotional materials or even allow them to table at your event.
  You can even go the extra mile and identify local businesses that are relevant based on the title. For instance, partner with local go cart centers, arcades, plumbers and grocery stores for a screening of “The Super Mario Bros. Movie.” Check out our free Sponsorship Guides on our Resource Hub for step-by-step guidance with creating a sponsorship program.

• Apply for Grants and Seek Donations. Many local and state governments have cultural grants to promote community events. Research available opportunities and apply accordingly. You can also seek out donations with philanthropists or local foundations who might be interested in supporting community-building events.
• Consider In-Kind Sponsorships. Instead of monetary sponsorships, consider asking businesses for in-kind donations. This can include the projector, screen, sound equipment, popcorn, other snacks and more.
• Charge Admissions. Your organization always has the option to charge admission at your event. If you’re interested in charging admission, ask your Swank Account Executive for more information.
• Engage the Local Community. Consider organizing pre-event fundraisers, such as bake sales, garage sales, fun runs or themed parties where proceeds go to fund programming like movie nights.

“Every Movie Night our goals are to include themed activities that coincide with the movie, invite local vendors, and show a family friendly movie for the community to enjoy. We also had bounce houses and a face painter, as well as crafts from our local Library. Local vendors such as Kona Ice and Jimbo's Pizza were serving at the event. We also have a monthly popcorn sponsor, Cody Paxman State Farm, giving out free popcorn. All of our Movie Nights are Presented by Sinacola. Both of these sponsors have supported Movie Night on the Square for 3 consecutive years. We love the support receive from our local businesses!”

– City of Celina

Take your event to the next level by creating unique, one-of-a-kind experiences for your community. Pair programming with the movie’s theme, identify relevant organizations to partner with or get creative with concessions for that extra “cherry on top” touch. Click here for our top event and promo ideas to maximize your movie program

“In the 90 minutes leading up to showtime, we have an emcee who conducts rounds of trivia, with questions related to the movie. Audience members answer questions to receive prizes like free popcorn and candy from Seattle Fudge, as well as other sponsor giveaways. This activity helps keep the crowd engaged while we wait for darkness to descend and serves to warm-up the audience. We often also have food trucks and vendors nearby for those looking to purchase food and drink, which adds to the fun and festive vibe.”

– Seattle Center’s Movies at the Mural

BRANDING YOUR MOVIE SERIES

If you plan to host regular and consistent movie events, consider branding your series.

• First, come up with a memorable name for the series, like “Movie Mondays” or “Free Movie Friday.” Be sure to stay consistent with the time, day of the week and location of your showings so your community can pre-plan.
• Next, create a cohesive set of visuals, including posters, flyers, schedules, signage and social media posts. This goes beyond using the same logo to incorporate the same colors, fonts and general aesthetic in all your materials.
• And be sure to finalize your schedule of titles well in advance to maximize promotion. As a reminder, licensing needs to be in place before you can start promoting.
• Investing time to properly brand your event will help you reach your targeted audience, increase exposure and, ultimately, draw larger crowds.

“Our Family Movies Under the Stars was a great event for families of the community. We reached our expected attendance for all four dates. This year we opened a 'kids zone' to increase the number of activities prior to the start of each movie. Kids were able to enjoy movie themed coloring pages, giant jenga, giant connect four, and corn hole.”

– City of Buena Park

Everything is scheduled for the big event. Now, it’s time to promote! You are permitted to promote the title and utilize the studio-approved images available on our website. Just be sure not to alter or edit the images. Luckily, our customizable materials found on our Promo Builder make promoting your event a breeze. Just drop in the date, time, location and any other details relevant to your audience, then hit “download!” We are continuously adding new templates, so be sure to check back regularly for updates.

Additional promotional materials can be found on our movie detail pages. Simply search for the film of your choice on our website and scroll to the “Promotional Materials” section. There you can find flyers, tickets, thumbnails and more.

“We utilized Facebook ads alongside standard Twitter and Instagram posts. We also made an event page on Eventbrite to extend our reach. Because we have a digital divide in our community, the most effective promotion was hanging posters inside local businesses, schools and passing flyers door-to-door.”

– Midtown Indy

Top Tips to Spread the Word

• Leverage Social Media: Use platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok to create buzz. Share engaging content and trailers and utilize Facebook events. Encourage audience interaction through polls, Q&A sessions or contests.
• Partner with Influencers: Collaborate with influencers or local personalities who align with your movie's genre or target audience. They can help spread the word to their followers, increasing visibility.
• Create Compelling Content: Craft visually appealing and informative content. Use eye-catching posters, trailers and graphics that highlight the movie, its cast and the event details.
• Utilize Email Marketing: Build an email list of interested individuals and regularly update them about the event. Send out newsletters, exclusive sneak peeks or special offers to entice attendance.
• Collaborate with Local Businesses or Organizations: Partner with local businesses, community groups or relevant organizations. They can help promote the event to their networks, widening your reach.
• Host Contests or Giveaways: Run online contests or giveaways related to the movie event. This can generate excitement and encourage social sharing.
• Utilize Trailers: Run trailers for future screenings while the audience waits for the event to begin.
• Think Outside the Box: Incorporate themes from the movie in your promotions to make them stand out. For example, if you’re screening a Spiderman movie, hang fake cobwebs around your property with the movie details. Showing “Wonka?” Print off “golden tickets” with the movie details printed and hand them out at other events that you’re hosting.
• Encourage Word of Mouth: Encourage attendees to share their experiences on social media using a unique event hashtag. Positive word-of-mouth can significantly impact future events.

Be sure to test the movie out ahead of time using your equipment.

If you ordered a rental copy of the film you’re showing from Swank, it should arrive at least two business days prior to your event. Always contact your Account Executive if it doesn’t arrive by then so they can make alternate arrangements.

After your event, we’d love to hear how it went! Let your Account Executive know if you’re interested in sharing your story or submit details here to inspire others.

We offer free resources to help you easily implement each of the steps to success:

Resource Hub: From choosing movies to securing sponsorships, this page has everything you need to plan and promote from start to finish.

PressPlay Monthly Newsletters: Make sure you’re signed up for our newsletters to receive programming ideas, top titles and an Account Executive tip delivered to your inbox each month.

Event & Promo Ideas: Discover our top programming and promotion ideas in our catalogs, newsletters, and discussion guides. Click here to view more ideas.

Customer Stories: Learn how customers use movies to create extraordinary campus events.

New Release & Programming Guide: Highlights latest movies, seasonal picks and much more.

Swank Account Executive: Your dedicated account rep can help you every step of the way – from selecting movies to gearing up for showtime.

After your event, we would love to know how it went! Call your Swank Account Executive
at 1.800.876.5577 or submit details here to inspire other communities!