Fifteenth International Conference on Environmental, Cultural, Economic & Social Sustainability

Abstract

Film offers a visually engaging and stimulating perspective to examine the wide variety of urban issues that are ever-present in the densely populated counties of Florida. As an outreach method, it presents an opportunity to educate and engage diverse, non-traditional audiences, and examine attitudes about a range of community issues. Film screenings are coordinated as individual learning events or as a series and are managed by Extension faculty. The film screenings were launched in April 2014 and each film series consists of three monthly film screenings, a moderated panel discussion, a retrospective evaluation, and a community engagement component. A total of 540 attended, thirty panelists participated, and 79% (n=395) returned evaluations for the film series. Film attendees rated the program excellent/very good (94%) and at least 45% were unfamiliar with Extension. Partners often implement actions that are based on the outcomes of the series e.g. recycling resolution, food waste program, and more education campaigns. Each film series acts as a catalyst for community change and uses an approach that balances storytelling, scientific research, and expert opinion to inform audiences. This innovative community engagement strategy is replicable in other geographic areas and can be utilized in other disciplines.