Our Impact so far

Our outreach campaign After THE OIL MACHINE aims to leverage the impact of the documentary film THE OIL MACHINE and bring attention to the environmental, economic and social issues surrounding oil and gas extraction in the North Sea.

Our campaign, launched in October 2022, is called After THE OIL MACHINE for three reasons. It’s about:

  1. sparking discussions immediately after watching the film;
  2. exploring all the rapid developments that have been happening since filming; and
  3. sharing calls to action to move away from fossil fuels.

For example, a key contributor in the film is a responsible investor who has joined our campaign to:

  • discuss the film at a panel event with audiences in the finance sector;
  • provide a web video update on how current economic uncertainties relate to the climate crisis; and
  • encourage people saving for a pension to move their funds away from fossil fuels and towards more sustainable options, providing tangible steps for doing so.

Pairing film screenings with lively panel discussions, take-home action steps, and expansive web resources, the campaign has actively engaged audiences to spark the kind of meaningful conversations and actions that are needed to create a more just and sustainable future.

Scottish Premiere of The Oil Machine at Macrobert Arts Centre in Stirling in November 2022

Screening at Macrobert Arts Centre, Stirling. Photo @CSDocuFest 

Campaign highlights to-date

Events 'After THE OIL MACHINE'

We’ve organised over 150 film events across the UK since November 2022, in collaboration with local organisations, universities, and community groups. This includes providing a comprehensive screening pack to hosts, with a discussion guide, promotional kit, and steps for taking action. We’ve worked to turn every screening into a lively event with introductions, discussions, and calls to action.

Over 130 speakers have taken part in-person and online, including oil workers, young activists, politicians, scientists, artists, and finance experts. including the film’s contributors Sir David King, Tessa Khan, Dylan Hamilton, Ann Pettifor, Steve Waygood, and Professor Kevin Anderson. Many events also featured director Emma Davie and executive producers James Marriott and Terry Macalister. An online screening was introduced by well-known columnist for The Guardian, author, and activist George Monbiot.

Against a backdrop of dwindling audience numbers across the UK cinema-sector, these efforts have led to several sold-out events. We have seen that, on average, screenings with curated discussions have been attracting six times more people than screenings without.

Screening at Llyfrgell Maindee Library, Newport

Screening at Llyfrgell Maindee Library, Newport. Photo @maindeelibrary

Outreach and Advocacy

The campaign has reached diverse audiences of all ages and backgrounds, with a focus on the general public interested in environmental issues. Along the way, we have engaged with over 200 local environmental organisations, community groups, and other stakeholders to raise awareness and encourage action to protect the North Sea. This includes climate pledges and actions towards efforts within local communities; and support for national campaigns such as #StopRosebank and calls for a Just Transition.

The campaign’s collaboration with local and national environmental organisations has helped to bring attention to the issues and push for change. We have seen positive wins in climate activism in recent months, during a moment when our campaign has opened up the energy conversation with public audiences and empowered them to move beyond their theatre seats and pressure on our leaders.

Online Engagement

We’ve produced extensive online resources for film audiences to stay engaged and choose actions. These resources help keep the conversation up-to-date and relevant, adapting to the rapidly changing contexts such as the release of over 100 new oil & gas exploration licences by the UK Government; the outcomes of COP27; and spiralling energy price rises against record oil and gas industry profits.

This includes producing video catch-up sessions with the film’s contributors, providing ways to make a difference, hosting online events, and facilitating conversations around the issues. Our video catch-up sessions have been viewed over 100,000 times across various platforms, and we've reached over 1m impressions on our social channels.

Conclusion

The After THE OIL MACHINE campaign has had a significant impact on raising public awareness and sparking discussions of the complex issues surrounding the North Sea. Through screenings, community engagement, and social media, the campaign has inspired action and motivated individuals to protect the North Sea and its future. The campaign's success in bringing attention to these issues has helped to increase involvement in climate action and calls on our leaders to make policy changes.

Learn more about how we built the campaign

Campaign team

Film director: Emma Davie
Producer: Sonja Henrici
Executive producers: James Marriott and Terry Macalister
Campaign strategist: Ben Kempas, Film & Campaign
Content writer: Chris Silver, Film & Campaign
Outreach coordinator: Rachel Caplan, Film & Campaign
Databases and event publishing: Aga Slawinska, Film & Campaign
Education pilot: Amaya Bañuelos Marco for Macrobert Arts Centre
Publicity: Alex Rowley, AR:PR
Theatrical Distribution: Ged Fitzsimmons, Cosmic Cat
Support for theatrical distribution: Screen Scotland
Graphic design: Propaganda B
Website build and online publishing: Film & Campaign
Video production and livestream events: Film & Campaign