We’ve posted here a few times about “Friday Night at the Meaningful Movies”. Rick Turner, the event’s organizer, sent along this explanation of what it’s all about (and don’t miss the bit at the end, with info about tonight’s movie):
Wallingford’s Friday Night at the Meaningful Movies
Friday Night at the Meaningful Movies is a Wallingford documentary film-buff mainstay. It’s been presenting free documentary films, and hosting discussions after the films for over 11 years now. Somewhere between 50 and 150 people gather each Friday evening in the community space rented at Keystone Church just north of the Good Shepherd Center. Attendees come from all parts of the city, and I’m always surprised at how few people in Wallingford actually know about it. There’s a world of difference in seeing a film with a group that are interested in following with an engaged dialogue, than the typical big-box theater experience.
We began this endeavor as a small handful of Wallingford-ites who wanted to become better informed about some of the more important issues in our world and our community that weren’t getting the appropriate exposure in our usual mainstream media diet. Topics covered here have ranged from environment, to food security, to economics, and just about everything in between. Most of the films are recently released and well acclaimed, and whenever possible focus on events relevant to today’s news. Often, in addition to the films, there are speakers or representatives from local organizations working on related topics invited to bring additional depth and detail to the discussions, and to act as resources to those who would like to get more involved. And occasionally the filmmakers are present for the discussion and Q&A.
Our goal is to bring the community together in a forum where all feel comfortable discussing important issues relevant to this community, can bring their questions, express their opinions, and benefit through their shared knowledge – or to just enjoy a good film. The overarching goal in the end is community building and getting to know your neighbors.
Not too long ago we formed a non-profit to help spread this community cinema concept to other neighborhoods; and after just a year, we are helping coordinate a loose network of 10 groups from Woodinville to Renton, with a number of others in various neighborhoods. While this is a wonderful development and we look forward to this concept continuing to expand, this is far from our original goal 11 years ago; which is to be a catalyst of community building here in our own neighborhood of Wallingford. So the Wallingford contingent is now focusing its attention back here at home.
I hope you can join us. We’re here every Friday evening, 7-9:30PM. It’s free and open to everyone (…donations are kindly accepted to cover screening rights and other expenses). You can find a list of our upcoming films at http://www.meaningfulmovies.
OUR NEXT FILM:
Our next film, 7PM this Friday, April 11th, is “BIDDER 70” – Followed by a discussion on The Local Face Of Climate Change, with our special guest Lynn Fitz-Hugh, Coordinator for 350SEATTLE.ORG, the Seattle arm of the climate advocacy group 350.ORG. This film is the inspirational story of an act that redefined patriotism in the name of climate justice (more info on our website). Following the film, we’ll get an update on local climate action regarding coal trains, the XL pipeline, efforts to divest the city, UW & SU, planting a billion trees, and how we can help make a major positive differences right here at home. Location: Keystone Church, 5019 Keystone Place N, in Wallingford. Thanks!
I’d be very interested in finding out what types documentary films or subjects people would like to see. …Thanks -Rick