Public Libraries

Public libraries can buy the film to make it available to their members for borrowing. You can also donate it as a resource to your library if they choose not to buy it.

You can also ask them to host a screening for their members or offer to organize it for them. If you have a community license for the film, your license can be used to cover the screening at their venue.

Sample letter to approach libraries:

Dear Librarian,

I am a local resident and want to recommend a new documentary film for your collection, called "Hard To Believe". It was directed by Emmy Award-Winner, Ken Stone, and has been screening on PBS stations across America. Video Librarian Magazine said about "Hard To Believe": "this illuminating, often deeply unsettling PBS-aired documentary is highly recommended.”

The film investigates an important public health issue,  how thousands of prisoners of conscience are being killed for their organs in China and Americans are at risk of unknowingly receiving such organs. The film also present the stories of inspiring doctors, lawyers and other individuals who are working to stop these crimes. You can watch the trailer on the film website here: https://swoopfilms.com/hard-to-believe

This year the US Congress unanimously passed House Resolution 343 condemning the crime of organ transplant abuse in China that "Hard To Believe" investigates. I would be greatly appreciative if you can make this film available to our residents. 

I would also like to host a screening at the library for fellow residents, Can you please advise how to do that? I can be reached via email or phone [PUT YOUR NUMBER HERE].

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely,

[YOUR NAME]

See the Materials Page for more promotional materials.

 

HOW TO HOST A SCREENING AT A LIBRARY

There are two types of library screen programs, sponsored and non-sponsored. Sponsored programs need to be reviewed and approved by the libraries and have the advantage of having the libraries doing certain marketing and promotions for the event. Non-sponsored programs are like meeting room rentals. Typically you pay a small fee and are responsible for advertising the events yourself. The approval processes for sponsored programs tend to be longer.

We suggest to apply for sponsored programs when possible to maximize audience turnout.

How to Scout out a Location

  • Call to check if they’re open on weekends or your intended screening time, and have a meeting room

  • Go on site with the following:

    • Hard to Believe DVD and/or brochure. These are good tools for introductions. If applying for a sponsored program, it’s suggested to leave a copy of the DVD so that the librarians can review the film first.

    • Program application form. (You can call ahead to ask about this, or just turn up in person to request it, often times, more interaction with staff can help move things forward, so don't be shy to go a few times to work it out).

    • Cover letter. Please leave a cover letter with the application form if you deem necessary. A template can be found here

    • Check if the meeting room is good for screening and check with the librarians to see when might be a good show time with decent traffic.

    • Usually Saturday afternoons are a good choice.

If the library has mostly come-and-go traffic, try to pick a time slot immediately following an existing event that has a relatively big audience in hope that they will stay a little longer. You can search online event calendars for many libraries.

Sometimes even the librarians themselves admit that turnouts for their programs are dismal. They will sometimes suggest some other city venues for screening. In this case, still try to work with the librarian for the library’s sponsorship to hopefully get some marketing and promotion from the library.

Check whether the meeting room has a DVD player, and a projector or TV. Make a note, if not you need to provide this.

Submit application and secure a date. Remember to book for a duration of at least 2.5 hours, as one hour will be used for setting up and disassembling the equipment, another one hour for showing the video, and 30 minutes for Q&A. For instance, if you’ve booked the room from 1:30 to 4:00, advertise the show time to be 2:30 to allow 60 minutes for setup before the show.

How to Advertise the Event

Contact the film makers to create a "Event Page" on their Hard to Believe Face book page at hello [ at ] swoopfilms.com
Posters and other materials can be downloaded from here: https://swoopfilms.com/outreach-materials/

What to Do on the Day of Screening

Bring the following to the library:

  • Projector, screen, and speakers, if the meeting room doesn’t have AV equipment.

  • Hard to Believe screening DVD.

  • DVD player and/or computer.

  • Cables to go from projector to Laptop, on modern Mac's this is generally a Mini display Port to HDMI adapter, or a mini display port to HDMI cable.

  • Cable to go from DVD Player to Mac, this cable depends on what model and year of mac, for recent Mac's with a HDMI connection, you need a HDMI to HDMI cable, generally 3feet will be enough.

It’s better to go in as a team of two. Arrive at least 60 minutes prior to the show time.

One person sets up the meeting room, while the other person sets up the signs, chairs and starts directing people to the room.

Make a brief opening speech to introduce yourself and the film and announce that you will have a Q&A afterwards to answer questions.

What to Do when the Movie Ends

  • Q&A session

  • Give out handouts

  • Have a signup sheet for more info, this can be sent to hello [ @ ] swoopfilms.com and Swoop Films will keep these people up to date with news related to organ harvesting