ABOUT

OUTSPOKEN is a short documentary film about LGBTQ West Virginians fighting to live free of discrimination that calls us to reimagine the power of a small town queer community.

SERVICE

Guided Campaign (Done-with-you)

BEHIND THE SCENES

Issue

What we seek to change

Parkersburg was the first city in the state of West Virginia to vote down an ordinance that provided LGBTQ community workplace protections, igniting a ripple effect of activism for LGBTQ human rights throughout the state.

Impacted Audience

Who needed to feel held, heard, & seen

LGBTQ community in Appalachia, the South, and small towns in the U.S.

Solution

What Looky Looky Pictures did

Over a period of 2 months, we worked with Director/Producer Emily Harger to:

• Outline an impact campaign strategy
• Steward protagonists through their hopes for the film
• Plan a screening tour
• Set up a partnership kit
• Set up the digital infrastructure for the tour (forms, social media templates, newsletter)
• Build partnerships and pitch the screening tour
• Empower the filmmaker to lead and manage their own campaign

North Star

The core impact message

Be proud of who you are.

Goal

The Campaign's primary aim

Use the film as a tool to strengthen the work of LGBTQ organizations and organizers in the American South.

Strategy

How we planned to achieve the goal

A weekly screening series touring the American South during LGBTQ history month (October), with each screening lead and hosted by an anchor partner.

Outcome

How campaign events turned out

• Premiered on the eve of National Coming Out Day in Parkersburg,
• West Virginia with a packed the house what was standing room only crowd of over 125
• 6 screenings, plus an international premiere in England
• Dozens of screening requests came in beyond the official tour

Impact Results

How people & Organizations used the film to foster change

• It takes strength to be visible as LGBTQ in Appalachia. Dozens of organizations and hundreds of people joined together and attended screening be seen and join to live free of discrimination and reimagine the power of small towns.
• Unexpected alliances were fostered: People of faith came together to discuss how they can best support the LGBTQ community in Appalachia. The New Wineskins touched on the “unfortunate power of otherness” and the importance of building bridges between diverse communities to affect the change we want to see.
• 15-year-old Michael Critchfield attended the Parkersburg screening of the ACLU West Virginia to spread awareness of safety and support of transgender teens in schools. The ACLU West Virginia filed a lawsuit in Harrison County Circuit Court over the abusive treatment of a transgender high school student. “‘This action is a last resort,’ said Loree Stark, ACLU-WV legal director.
• An independent filmmaker managed their own screening tour, connected with their audience, and built skills for self-distribution!

See the complete impact report