Race Is the Place

Race Is the Place was featured in the inaugural season of ITVS’s landmark Community Cinema program (in fact, it was the inaugural program to be featured), which produced community outreach screenings in 11 markets during September 2005. All screenings were conducted between 10 and 60 days prior to the film’s scheduled national broadcast on Independent Lens and focused on civil rights and race relations and racial discrimination as expressed through art and humor. Race Is the Place screenings welcomed more than 500 community members to 12 events, and included special guest speakers and panel discussions with local experts. ITVS produced companion discussion guides to support the screenings and for use by viewers at home; more than 1,000 were downloaded or distributed. More than 50 community-based and national organizations partnered with ITVS to engage audiences with the film and the issues it raises. Race Is the Place screenings catalyzed important conversations about race and communication to large audiences nationwide.