I ran into Chris Dorr last week and had a good conversation with him about the many different ways the film world needs to engage with social media. One of the ideas here offered was exhibitors and festivals utilizing FourSquare. I tweeted the genius idea and sure enough soon learned that at least one film festival was ahead of the curve. AMERICAN SPLENDOR created a soft spot in my heart for Cleveland and now learning what the Cleveland International Film Festival was up to brought a sweet pang of joy.
What’s FourSquare you ask? CIFF explains:
Foursquare, a social networking tool for mobile devices, is a cross between a friend-finder, a social city-guide, and a game that rewards you for doing interesting things. Anytime you log your location with Foursquare, you earn points that translate into virtual “badges.” Frequenting a place more than anyone else will earn you the title of “Mayor.”
My only question though is what does becoming Mayor of CIFF get you? It’s the kind of thing that I think all festivals should engage in and Mayor status should bring a free pass for next year. Theaters should also do the same and offer free tickets.
Simple promotions awarding the monthly “Mayor” is just the start of things that could come from a FourSquare alliance. Mike Vogel pointed out that filmmakers could come up with ways to entice people who had earned a “Swarm” badge with 50+ attendees. What such ideas do you have to share?
Let’s recognize and accept that it is not just the movie that audiences want, but also the social experience. We have to work harder to find ways to enhance that. One thing is for sure though, the more you know the regulars at a theater then more you feel at home — and the more you feel at home the more that you are going to be there.
Update 3/21: The comments below are full of good ideas. I hope the film festivals & exhibitors listen (and foursquare too). Please let me know of any that are doing it right (and why) as you come across them.
