Become a Screening Partner

Non-profit, educational, and governmental organizations (i.e. Screening Partners) that host the 2021-2022 Southern Circuit Tour of Independent Filmmakers are required to:

• Provide South Arts a participation fee of $5,000. Participation fees are invoiced in spring 2021 and must be paid by August 31, 2021.
  • If the participation fee is a barrier to your organization’s participation, please contact Teresa Hollingsworth at 404—874-7244. 14 or thollingsworth@southarts.org
• Return signed contract to South Arts by April 30, 2021.
• New Screening Partners must participate in an introductory Southern Circuit webinar to review program expectations and requirements. The webinar will be presented April 2021.
• One to two representatives from your organization will be required to participate in the online Film Selection Meeting, May 20-21, 2021. During the meeting, representatives select films and filmmakers that will tour with the 2021-2022 Southern Circuit.
• Present online and/or in-person screenings
  • For in-person screenings, organize an audience Q&A with visiting filmmakers.
• Provide advance publicity and promotion within your community for each Southern Circuit screenings, including but not limited to print, electronic, and social media.
• Participate in a Southern Circuit audience development webinar to learn about marketing/communications strategies for selected films, and steps for managing effective filmmaker relationships. The webinar will be presented in summer 2021.
• For in-person screenings (anticipated Spring 2022):
  • Work with Southern Circuit staff and filmmakers to develop schedules
  • Provide a qualified projectionist, and functional projection and audio equipment. Blu-ray or DCP projection is preferred, when/if available.
  • Make recommendations for safe, clean, economical overnight accommodations for each filmmaker. Organizations may make reservations on behalf of filmmakers. Filmmakers are responsible for payment of accommodations based on applicable per diem.
• Participate in a Southern Circuit audience development webinar to learn about marketing/communications strategies for selected films, and steps for managing effective filmmaker relationships. The webinar will be presented in summer 2021.

• Solicit films and coordinate preliminary review of submitted films.
• Coordinate the selection process for filmmakers and films to tour with the 2021-2022 Southern Circuit.
• Contract filmmakers to screen work, participate in recorded and post-screening discussions, community engagement events, and contribute to Southern Circuit marketing including social media.
• Provide Screening Partners with access to promotional materials for the 2021-2022 Southern Circuit that include high-resolution photographs, individual film posters, Circuit series posters, film synopses, filmmaker biographies, logos, web banners, Southern Circuit filmmaker social media, and press release templates.
• Provide informational webinars to Screening Partners.
• For in-person screenings:
  • Work with filmmakers and Screening Partners to develop schedules
  • Develop filmmaker travel itineraries.
  • Provide per diem for filmmaker lodging, meals, ground transportation.
  • Reimburse filmmakers for approved airfare.
• Provide ongoing support to filmmakers and Screening Partners.
• South Arts recognizes the value of filmmakers’ participation by providing artists honoraria with the support of the National Endowment for the Arts.

• Non-profit, educational, or governmental organizations within South Arts’ nine-state region: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. 
• Non-profit tax-exempt status or an official unit of local, county or state government. Tax-exempt status will be verified by a third-party entity. Proof of governmental status is required. Fiscal agents will not be considered.
• Applicants must have a DUNS number. Applications will not be accepted from organizations that do not have a DUNS number. Visit the Dun & Bradstreet website for additional information about DUNS numbers as well as instructions on how to receive one.
• Projects must take place in South Arts’ nine-state region.
• Applicants must acknowledge the support of South Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts in all marketing activities and contact with traditional (print, radio, TV) and social media.
• Complete and submit a final report to South Arts at the conclusion of the tour.
• Invited Screening Partners must comply with eligibility requirements. Failure to do so will result in disqualification of future project participation and grant funds from South Arts.

• Six screenings must take place during the season.
• Online film presentations must include access to a pre-recorded discussion with the filmmaker and discussant or for in-person, public screenings a post-film Q&A with the filmmaker.
• Events must be marketed to and include the public. Projects are not required to serve the entire geographic community but should target diverse audiences.
• Applicants are required to provide reasonable accommodations for constituents with disabilities during events, and to include physical access (ramps, accessible parking/box office/restrooms/seating, etc.). Communications and programmatic accessibility are required and can also help your organization build audiences and strengthen engagement. Please visit the NEA's website for more information. Applicants must commit to the Endowment’s Assurance of Compliance.
• An electronic final report must be submitted at the conclusion of the Southern Circuit season by May 31, 2022 to South Arts.