Community Documentary Night gives people the opportunity to engage in meaningful discussions on a wide range of topics with other members of the community who come from various backgrounds. Whether we are meeting online or in-person, our goal is to encourage conversation, stimulate social change, and support documentary films.
We started in 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia, with the support of the local organization, Sunday Assembly Atlanta. Around ten of us would meet at a friend’s apartment, where we would watch the documentary together then sit and discuss. That friend moved, temporarily ending the event until 2018 when the Northwest Unitarian Universalist Church allowed us to use their space to continue the event. The event gradually grew until we had 75 at the last in-person event before COVID.
A few months into the pandemic we decided to transition to online events, hosting them on Zoom. We have since collaborated with numerous student, academic, and community organizations to put on Virtual Documentary Nights. We have brought together people from around the country and even some from abroad as far as Portugal and Sweden. We have also been fortunate enough to bring in numerous directors and others for special guest Q&A’s. Our event continues to grow and evolve with the suggestions of our wonderful long time attendees who range in ages from 18 to 80s. While growing we are also currently working towards attaining non-profit status. These events are open to all who are open to all. We look forward to you joining the discussion!
Community Documentary Night has been profiled in publications including the Rollins School of Health and UU the Vote.
MISSION
Our mission is to increase awareness and understanding while also building social connections throughout our various communities, using documentary films as a central driver for our discussions. We aim to create a safe space where people can share their perspectives and also hear perspectives they may otherwise not be exposed to in their daily lives.
NORMS & EXPECTATIONS
We have generated a set of norms and expectations for our event. They were created to help us maintain a welcoming and civil environment for everyone in attendance. Please read through before attending. They will also be recited at the start of the event.
1. This event is open to all who are open to all. This is an inclusive event. So we are open to anyone including all gender expressions, racial identities, political affiliations, etc. as long as you are open to hearing the perspective of others.
2. Step Up and Step Back. Step up meaning we ask that you step up and share your perspective so that we can learn and grow from your knowledge and experience. Step back meaning we ask that you step back on occasion, allowing yourself the opportunity to hear and grow from the experience and perspectives of others in attendance.
3. Allow others to express their full thought. This is just a nice way of saying try not to interrupt.
4. Be mindful of others wanting to speak. Try to keep your thoughts concise, allowing time for others to respond.
5. If you don’t agree, this is not a debate but a discussion. So instead of trying to sway the other person, try to understand where they are coming from. That can be done by asking “What makes you think that?” This requires coming from a place of curiosity rather than competition.
6. But even though it’s not a debate, feel free to challenge what is said. Not in saying “You’re wrong.” But by sharing the idea that you have and asking how that fits with what they just shared. This allows for both ideas to be in the same space and gives the other person an opportunity to explain their thinking.
7. Assume good intentions. We are all here to learn and grow together. If something does not sound right, ask first for clarification before jumping to conclusions.
8. If there is an issue, speak up in the moment, if at all possible. Some may not realize that what they said had a negative impact on those in the room. Speaking up can give them the opportunity to correct what they said.
9. If it is not possible to resolve amongst yourselves, request that the host join your group (in-person) or breakout room (virtual). Once he arrives you can explain the situation and we can figure out a way of resolving the issue. If you would rather wait till after the event, feel free to email the host at CommunityDocumentaryNight@gmail.com, then we can figure out a way of resolving the issue for future events.
10. It’s ok to eat! This event occurs around dinner time for many of us. So feel free to eat while participating in the discussion. We just ask that you mute yourself while you are chewing if joining online and swallow your food before sharing if in person.
Community Documentary Night 