Managing Community Relations and Empowering Development Through Film: A Study of Joe Odedina's Annual Community Film Screening

Abstract

Beyond entertainment and even education, we hypothesized that film can do more, and that it can specifically play a role in managing community relations, enabling development, and promoting social cohesion across diverse backgrounds. These two experiments were conducted in Oke-Iya, Kwara State, Nigeria. They include open-air film screenings and film and photography skill acquisition workshops. We use symbolic interactionism, social capital theory, social systems theory, and rational choice theory, as theoretical frameworks which guided our investigation and analysis. We further examine the transformative potential of film-based interventions in communities. Our findings reveal that film can facilitate meaningful interactions, nurture collective identity, empower individuals through skill acquisition, and enhance community engagement and collaboration. These theoretical perspectives provide insights into the mechanisms through which film can influence community relations and contribute to development. The study demonstrates the significance of film as a powerful medium for managing community relations, uniting people, and stimulating development. Its recommendations present a guide for future initiatives aiming to leverage film for community empowerment, engagement, and sustainable development. It therefore concludes that film has the potential to facilitate positive change within communities.