Mobile Cinema in Lesotho: Documenting Change

This 52-page study, published by Sesotho Media and Development (SM&D), was produced to assess the extent to which the Steps for the Future mobile cinema programme in Lesotho had achieved its objectives. The documentary film screenings, which were conducted in urban and rural areas throughout Lesotho, are designed to create safe environments for open and meaningful communication; build self-esteem of people living with HIV; reduce stigma and discrimination; provide access to information; and equip people with the ability to make informed decisions. The study found that the approach of combining documentary film screenings, discussions, meaningful involvement of people living with HIV, and support structures provided by SM&D and other organisations contributed positively to audiences’ lives.

For this study, organisers coded and analysed screening reports covering 240 screenings with a total of 16,252 people between 2007 and mid-2009. The reports provided an overview of the composition of audience groups reached, their perceptions, and the issues discussed. This analysis was followed by individual interviews and focus groups with audiences at selected sites to document any changes in the lives of audience members.

According to the study, there was an increase in open communication of sensitive issues. The assessment suggests that facilitated discussions provided a space for information sharing and learning, and that people living with HIV felt encouraged to disclose their status as they felt there was greater acceptance. However, the study points out that disclosure is a step that needs to be carefully considered as it is difficult to predict how others might react. To provide support for those disclosing, facilitators need to ensure that a structure for follow-up support is in place.

The researchers found that women were mostly reached through screenings in villages, support groups, and clinics. Men attended these in much smaller numbers and instead were reached in large numbers through screenings in prisons and at police stations. Male and female youth were equally reached through schools and youth gatherings. During the assessment period, there was a shift away from one-off screenings for mass audiences, to working with smaller audience groups repeatedly and regularly over a longer period of time. The SM&D team found that one-off interventions through a facilitated screening are less effective than regular screenings with adequate follow-up and support.

The assessment also found that screenings became a collective social experience, which allowed for open communication across these divides. However, some audience members pointed out that homogenous groups, in terms of age and gender, may have helped them to communicate more openly. Further, researchers found that communication did not cease at the screenings, but continued into the daily lives of audience members after the screenings. Audiences retold the story of the film, the discussion, and information gained to their families, friends, and wider community. Thus, the reach of the facilitated film screenings was greatly extended beyond the audience that had attended the screening.

Audiences often requested SM&D to return with mobile Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) units. Based on past experiences, SM&D decided not to work with once-off testing drives that left people without adequate follow-up support. Instead audiences were referred to clinics and local VCT sites that offer ongoing counselling and support. According to clinic nurses and support groups, facilitated screenings have resulted in an increase in the number of people getting tested.

The study includes a number of recommendations to improve the effectiveness of the screenings. The report recommends focused screening programmes with smaller audiences over a longer period of time. They say that audience groups should be mixed, as this allows dialogue across gender, age, and other social divides; however, the programme should also include segmented screenings as this could contribute towards confidence building within groups. Local and religious leaders also need to be involved. The study recommends that school screenings should include separate screenings for learners, teachers, and parents. It also states that new strategies have to be developed to reach more men and suggests working more closely with male support groups and organisations working with men.

The report indicates that partner organisations need to establish a stronger referral system by involving other local organisations in the screening programme. The study also suggests that in-house facilitators be trained from organisations, institutions, and schools and that films should be distributed to them. This would enable ongoing facilitated screenings independent of SM&D. The report notes that more films are needed that address reproductive rights of people living with HIV, HIV-discordant couples, youth issues, and treatment issues. In addition, a specific focus on children could be developed, as currently children attend screenings because they come with their parents, not because the films are designed for them.