Reprinted from GRAIN JOURNAL March/April 2020 Issue
“Silo,” an award-winning film with grain entrapment as a central focus, premiered during the 2019 Farm Progress Show. The film, directed by Marshall Burnette, was inspired by the true story of three Illinois teens who fell into a grain bin in 2010 – and only one survived.
The film was screened during the National Grain and Feed Association’s annual convention, March 8-10, in Austin, TX. Another screening will take place during GEAPS Exchange 2020, July 16-19, in Minneapolis, MN.
For those wanting to share “Silo” and its message about grain entrapment prevention to their company, group, or organization, the film has been made available for community screenings.
How to Host a Screening
As a “Silo” community screening host, you are in charge of coordinating the event, from signing a licensing agreement and arranging payment to securing a venue and publicizing the screening. The “Silo” team is available to guide you through the process. Once your event is confirmed, the “Silo” team will share the following:
• A recommended event planning timeline.
• Publicity materials: sample invitations, social media posts, and press releases.
• Film artwork: posters, logos, and high-resolution production photography.
• A technology guide and checklist.
• A digital and printed copy of the “Silo” Community Discussion Guide, which was created alongside one of the film’s nonprofit partners, the Grain Handling Safety Coalition.
Cost of a Screening
A “Silo” community screening event costs $2,500 for a single, one-time license of the film for up to 500 audience members.
The licensing fee of $2,500 covers the cost of a single event; however, there is a 10% discount for multiple screenings (e.g., two screenings at a cost of $4,500 instead of $5,000). There also is a same-day discount to be discussed directly with a “Silo” team member.
To secure financing, “Silo” community screening hosts often partner with one or multiple local organizations to sponsor the event cost. Those partners have included, but are not limited to, local businesses, banks, farm bureaus, grain elevators, and coops. You also are welcome to sell tickets and keep 100% of that revenue to recoup event costs.
Required Equipment
A projector and BluRay DVD player are ideal elements for the screening. A flat projector screen is recommended, but a white, or light-colored flat wall also could work. Some hosts choose to use a large television screen or monitor instead, if they are playing the film for a smaller audience.
More info. For more information about community screenings, go to www.silothefilm.com/screenings.
