Most of our films are free to view on YouTube and can also be watched from right here on our website. Check out Watch Films in the main menu.
You can also purchase our films so that you have them permanently available on your device to view, ad-free, offline, or with a license so that you can hold a public screening. Visit the store for more information.
When you bought the film from our Film Store you will have received a purchase receipt at the email address you provided (check your Spam folder if this didn’t reach you immediately). That email contains your download link. The link does not expire, so please keep the email, so that you can access it again if needed. To download the film, simply click on the link. You’ll be prompted to choose where to save it. The download time will depend on the file size (i.e., whether you’ve bought a short film or a feature film) and your internet connection.
Once downloaded, store the file on a hard drive, USB stick, or in a folder on your computer from which you can play it.
If the download is failing, the most likely problem is that your internet connection is not reliable enough for this purpose. You could try asking a friend to download it and then transfer the file to a hard drive or USB stick. If that’s not an option, please get in touch using the form on the Contact page.
To watch a film on your iPad or iPhone, you’ll need to download it to your computer and then sync it to your device.
In New Zealand and Australia we have a limited number of DCP files available for an additional $20 plus postage. Most cinemas require the film 1–2 weeks ahead of the screening date and we’ll need at least 2 weeks’ notice to get it to you. We don't have DCP files for films under 30 minutes in length.
If you mean you’d like to embed one of our YouTube videos on your website, we’d of course be very happy for you to do so!
Please do not download and re-upload our films, with or without changes, to your own channel or website. We earn an important part of our income from YouTube ad revenue and you would be taking our creative work for your own profit. Thanks for not doing this! If you'd like to upload one of our films for course attendees to access, then we will charge a small fee for usage. In this case, please get in touch using the form on the Contact page including info about the course, the number of people expected to be accessing it, and what you charge.
If you have other plans for using our films in an educational or entry-cost setting, send us a message from the Contact page with full details.
Living the Change is officially rated PG. The rest of our films are exempt from rating due to being documentaries containing no offensive language.
Our budget hasn’t extended to professional subtitling, but we have a wonderful team of volunteer translators from around the world who have contributed translations to some of our films. Check the film page to find subtitles available for download or go to YouTube to watch the film, where there may be more available. If you’re interested in adding subtitles, send us a message from the Contact page and we can send you the English subtitles with time code stamps.
No, but thanks for asking! While our YouTube videos are monetised (meaning an ad plays at the beginning of each film – a critical income source for us), we choose not to collaborate with corporate brands or to sell products via our films. We don’t plan on changing our minds about this – even if your product is super-duper eco awesomeness – so we wish you well with your own business but request that you don’t email us offering a collaboration. Thanks again!
We have a whole page about this! Click this link to head to the How is Happen Films Funded? webpage.
Our gear is the part of our lives that causes us the most conflict! For that reason, we prioritise buying secondhand wherever possible (obviously not batteries, nor hard drives). Our current gear is as follows:
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Main video camera: Canon C70
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Lenses: Canon 16-35mm f/4, Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8; Sigma 50mm f/1.4; Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8
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External monitor: SmallHD Focus
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Audio: Sennheiser G4 wireless system, Sanken COS-11D lav mics, Sound Devices Mix-pre 3 ii audio recorder
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Tripod: Manfrotto 290 xtra with 701 HDV fluid head
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Stabiliser: DJI RS 3 Pro
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Editing computer: 2023 Macbook Pro
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Editing software: Final Cut Pro X
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Editing harddrive: Synology NAS
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In order to create a positive and engaging environment within the Happen Films social media community, we ask that everyone treats each other with respect. While at times people within this community might disagree with ideas expressed by others, all opinions and viewpoints are welcome. However, insults, threats or harassment of other people or organisations, offensive statements and illegal content will not be tolerated.
Happen Films reserves its right to delete – to the extent that each respective social media platform allows – any post or comment that is defamatory, indecent, hateful, racist, xenophobic, homophobic, sexist, disgraceful, vulgar, or inappropriate; and unintelligible or irrelevant posts.
We love to hear from you and encourage comments, critiques, questions, and suggestions.
This is an ethos in direct correlation to People Care, a Permaculture Ethic we frame our lives by.