Frequently Asked Questions
- What's happening with CSTS 2008?
- How do I find a screening in my city / town / province?
- Fine, there isn't a screening in my area. How do I start one up?
- I've never done anything like organizing a charity event before. What do I need to do?
- Is this some kind of fan club event?
- Why Equality Now?
- Why 'Serenity'?
- Are donations to Equality Now tax deductible?
What do I do if I want to hold a screening in my town but there's no willing or reasonably priced cinema, not enough Browncoats, or there's not enough time to get it done for this year? (Affiliate City)
What's happening with CSTS 2008?
We have a new Global Coordinator, Beth Nelson, and many cities have already showed an interest in holding screenings in 2008. As we get closer to the date, cities will begin to lock in as they confirm with their venues, so check the main site regularly for updates on participating cities. If you don't see your city listed and think you want to run one, join the forum and dive on in!
How do I find a screening in my city / town / province?
The front page of CantStopTheSerenity.com has the current list of cities and contact information. (It'll also be mirrored above, in the FAQ, at all times.) The CSTS Forums also have a list of cities and organizers. If your city isn't listed, there's a better than zero chance the event isn't on the books yet.
Fine, there isn't a screening in my area. How do I start one up?
First, check your local Browncoat group. They may have a local message board or Yahoo!Group , or a MeetUp group. If no one's organizing a screening event in your area, sign up for the CSTS Forum, and state your intentions to organize in your area in the Organizers thread. This way, anyone else from your city will know that there's an effort underway, and who to reach.
Next, take a good look at this Forum thread , where we talk about the first steps to securing a theatre, and rallying your troops.
Welcome to the party.
I've never done anything like organizing a charity event before. What do I need to do?
First, relax. This will be the first time a lot of organizers have put together an event like this, so you're not alone.
Next, the majority of people who threw the 2006 events were doing this for the first time as well. You can access their expertise and ingenuity on the CSTS Forums .
Is this some kind of fan club event?
In short, no. While the majority of organizers are fans of 'Serenity' / "Firefly" / Joss Whedon to some degree, from the casual to the ardent, there isn't a specific fan group agenda to the CSTS events other than trying to raise money for Equality Now.
In 1992, Jessica Neuwirth founded Equality Now (link opens external window) along with Navanethem Pillay and Feryal Gharahi, to address the gender disparity in the human rights movement, which had grown to dismiss violations as "cultural" or "private". Issues such as domestic violence, rape, female genital mutilation, trafficking, and reproductive rights were not part of the agendas of established human rights organizations.
Neuwirth was a student of Lee Stearns, who founded the first Amnesty International chapter run exclusively by high school students. Stearns is Joss Whedon's mother.
Whedon has been outspoken in his support of the organization and gender equality initiatives. You can hear his remarks on why equality is paramount in this YouTube clip (link opens external window), where he accepts a special recognition award from Equality Now.
In picking Equality Now as the organization receiving the proceeds of the global screenings, the organizers of Can't Stop The Serenity voice their support of the work done around the world by EN.
While the film did not perform to expectations at the box office, the movie 'Serenity' has a strong and vocal group of fans around the world -- most of whom did not get a chance to see it in first-run theatres. The Can't Stop The Serenity events give those fans a chance to see the "Big Damn Movie" on the big screen one more time (or for the first time) for a worthwhile cause.
Are donations to Equality Now tax deductible?
Equality Now is a 501(c)(3) organization, and donations to EN are tax deductible in the United States. You'll need to check the tax laws in your country if you live outside of the US.
What do i do if i want to hold a screening in my town but there's no willing ro reasonably priced cinema, not enough browncoats, or there's not enough time to get it done for this year?
Become an