Making a change in the world with an impact-focused project can be daunting, requiring a blend of knowledge, exploration, and strategy. By aligning your goals with experts in the field and organisations already addressing the social issues your film tackles, a Braintrust meeting becomes a powerful tool. It helps ensure your project stays on track and maximises its potential to make a positive impact on society.
Learn more about what a Braintrust is and how it can be effective for your impact project.
What is a Braintrust meeting?
A Braintrust, sometimes referred to as an “impact strategy meeting” or “stakeholder meeting,” is an opportunity to engage key partners and funders early in the process to discuss the impact potential of your project. A Braintrust is a meeting of ideas—It’s about sharing your vision, gathering feedback, and fostering collaboration, so the project evolves in a way that reflects the input of those working directly in the field.
What is the benefit of having a Braintrust meeting?
The benefits of holding a Braintrust meeting are numerous, ranging from raising awareness of your project to gaining invaluable insights from experts working on the ground. The goal is to bring together individuals deeply connected to the core of the issue—whether government representatives, charity sector workers, or activists—who can provide essential feedback and insight. This also fosters early relationship building, creating connections that can be relied on later in the process. Those who attend are already invested in the project and may want to stay informed, often leading to ongoing involvement or even key partnerships.
In rare cases, a Braintrust may also provide an opportunity to showcase your film during the editing phase, gathering feedback that can refine both its narrative and intended impact.
What should film teams prepare for a Braintrust meeting?
For a successful Braintrust meeting, film teams should come well-prepared with a few key elements including clear social impact goals that you aim to achieve with your film, and be ready to discuss how you intend to meet those goals. If there are any engaged key partners already connected to your project, invite them along to contribute to the discussion.
Make sure you are able to share at least a rough cut of your film to attendees before the meeting. This allows your guests to fully understand your vision and ensures the conversation can be focused on specific areas and impact-related feedback.
In rare cases, a Braintrust may also provide an opportunity to showcase your film during the editing phase, gathering feedback that can refine both its narrative and intended impact.
What might the outcomes from a Braintrust meeting be?
- Raise awareness of your project with the people within the space – which can then go on to be used as an aid within their work.
- Consulting with issue experts and sense checking your impact objectives – we believe that any successful strategy needs to be built alongside those at the centre of the issue.
- Forging early connections with those at the heart of an issue – often these organisations will be your biggest collaborators when you come to launch your impact campaign.
- Strengthening the appeal of your campaign for funders – all funders will need to see that your strategy has been built in consultation with experts in the area/issue that your film deals with.
We hope our blog has helped you gain a deeper understanding into what a braintrust meeting is and why it is a beneficial element in your impact strategy.
Interested to find out more or work with us? Explore our Impact Strategy services now.
