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Let's Collaborate

​I work with filmmakers, festivals, and mission-led organisations to turn powerful films into meaningful social and environmental change.

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My practice sits at the intersection of storytelling, community, and place, designing impact strategies that serve artists, audiences, and the communities most affected by the issues on screen.

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What I focus on

  • ​Impact campaign strategy & production, from early planning through delivery  and evaluation

  • Purpose-led film programming & curation for festivals, cinemas, and cultural organisations

  • Creative placemaking & community engagement through film

  • Partnerships for people & planet, collaborating with mission-aligned organisations

  • Inclusive, accessible engagement, centred on justice, local voices, and participation

 

I also support the sector through mentoring, training, and international networks focused in impact-led storytelling.

 

Why I do this

​Film can do more than inform or inspire.​ When paired with the right partnerships, audiences, and actions, it can shift conversations, strengthen communities, and support real-world change.

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My work is driven by a simple belief: impact should be purposeful, inclusive, and rooted in place.

Selected Experience & Impact

Across my career, I’ve programmed and supported 800+ environmental films, alongside extensive public engagement through festivals, campaigns, and community-led events in the UK, Europe, and the US.

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  • Impact Producer, The Oil Machine (BBC-funded): led the UK national impact campaign, delivering 170+ events with cinemas, universities, unions, grassroots groups, and climate organisations during a pivotal moment in the North Sea transition.

  • Impact Producer, The Last Musician of Auschwitz: shaping UK engagement across cinemas, community venues, and educational settings.

  • Co-Founder & Director, Montrose LandxSea Film Festival — Scotland’s environmental film festival, combining cinema, creative placemaking, schools engagement, and community action.

  • Producer, Scotland’s Climate Festival (COP26): supporting 37 locally-led festivals and engaging 30,000+ people nationwide.

  • Former Executive Director of San Francisco Green Film Festival and Director of the International Ocean Film Festival.​

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​​How I Work​​​​

My approach is:

  • Purpose-driven — guided by clear environmental and social goals

  • Partnership-led — collaborating with mission-aligned organisations

  • Inclusive by design — centred on justice, access, and local voices

  • Strategic and measurable — focused on outcomes, not just outputs

  • Audience-centred — making it easier for people to engage and take meaningful action​

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Who I Work With

  • Filmmakers and artists developing impact-led work

  • Film festivals, cinemas, and exhibitors

  • Funders and cultural organisations

  • Community groups, educators, and changemakers​​​​​​​

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Let's Work Together

If you’re developing a film, festival, or programme and want it to connect more deeply, travel further, and matter more, from strategy to delivery, I’d love to talk.

 

Talk to me about your impact goals at rachel.caplan [at] gmail.com

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Impact Services​​​​

 

​1. Impact-Driven Film Strategy & Consultancy

For films seeking reach, relevance, and real-world outcomes.

  • Impact strategy design and delivery

  • Audience and stakeholder mapping

  • Partnerships with community, cultural, and advocacy organisations

  • Event-based and hybrid engagement models

  • Learning, dialogue, and action pathways

  • Impact evaluation and reporting

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Selected work:

  • Led the UK national impact campaign for The Oil Machine (BBC-funded), delivering 170+ events and working with grassroots groups, cinemas, universities, unions, and climate organisations during a pivotal moment in the North Sea transition.

  • Impact Producer for The Last Musician of Auschwitz (BBC-funded), shaping UK engagement across cinemas, community venues, and educational settings.​​

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​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​2. Purpose-Led Festival Direction & Programming

For festivals, cinemas, and cultural organisations.

  • Audience-centred programme design and facilitated conversation

  • Curation with social, environmental, and place-based context

  • Thematic strands and audience journeys

  • Speaker-led screenings, assemblies, and participatory events

  • International and community-facing programming

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Selected work:

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​​​​​​​​​​​​​3. Creative Placemaking & Community Engagement through Film

Using film to strengthen local culture and civic life.

  • Place-based programme design

  • Community partnerships and co-creation

  • Accessibility-led and inclusive event design​​​​​​​​

  • Touring and regional engagement models

  • Youth, schools, and intergenerational work

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Selected work:

  • Producer of Scotland’s Climate Festival (COP26), supporting 37 locally-led festivals and engaging over 30,000 people nationwide.

  • Year-round screening and engagement programmes rooted in community cinemas and non-traditional venues.

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​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​4. Training, Mentoring & Sector Support

Supporting the next generation of impact-led storytellers and practitioners.

  • Mentoring filmmakers and producers

  • Fellowship and lab facilitation

  • Guest lecturing and workshops

  • Festival Jury service and advisory roles

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Selected work:

  • Host and mentor for the UAL Impact Storytelling Fellowship, supporting projects across film, TV, XR, games, and audio.

  • Frequent speaker and moderator for festivals, film hubs, and cultural organisations in the UK and internationally.​

  • Member of Global Impact Producers Alliance (GIPA); Green Film Network (25 countries); UK Green Film Network; MA in Cinema, British Film Institute (BFI); BAFTA awards voting member.

Photo Credits: ​Graham Black/Montrose LandxSea Film Fest, CidLang Media, Tommy Lau/SF Green Film Fest, Pamela Gentile/SF Green Film Fest, Regent's Place/London Green Film Fest, Ben Kempas/The Oil Machine, EkoFilm Czechia, Culture for Climate Scotland/Springboard, AKO Storytelling Institute at UAL, Emma Jamieson/Montrose LandxSea Film Fest, Rachel Caplan.

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