Social Media Film Production on Inequality in Asia

Terms of Reference for Social Media Film Production on Inequality in Asia

1. Project Background and Purpose

Oxfam In Asia seeks to create a powerful social media film that sheds light on the deep-seated impacts of colonization and structural inequalities across Asia. The film should communicate how these historical and ongoing issues shape contemporary society, including disparities in income, wealth, opportunities, power, resources, gender equality, climate resilience, public services, voice, and food security. The purpose is to engage audiences by illustrating the persistence of these inequalities and to inspire viewers to support movements toward justice and equality.

2. Objectives

The film’s primary objectives are to:

• Educate viewers on the roots of systemic inequalities, drawing connections between colonization, power imbalances, and current social injustices.
• Tell the story that how current economic model/policies are causing economic disparity and climate breakdown and why nation states are unable to control greed for wealth
• Illustrate how these inequalities impact people in tangible ways today, with particular attention to the most marginalized communities.
• Highlight stories of resilience and social justice movements in Asia.
• Inspire the audience to become aware, engage, and take actions that promote equality and justice.

3. Scope of Work

The agency is responsible for:

• Research and Scripting: Collaborate with our team to develop a factually accurate and compelling script that tells the stories of inequality in Asia. The script can explore a mix of multiple angles, including:
  • Share economic and gender inequality related facts and statistics across from Asia
  • Colonization and its Legacy: Highlight how colonial structures have left lasting effects on economies, societies, and communities.
  • Power and Resource Inequality: Share narratives that show how resources and power are unequally distributed.
  • Unequal opportunities/Access to Public Services: Explore how inequitable access to essential public services such as education, universal health, water & sanitation etc create unequal opportunities of various groups, impacts upward mobility and wellbeing.

4. Film Style Options: Visual Style: The agency can explore two possible formats:

• Street Conversations: On-the-street interviews with individuals across Asia, discussing their views on economic and social inequalities and personal experiences. Asking people what kind of societies or alternative they would prefer
• Concept Film: A visually rich narrative with symbolic visuals, powerful narration, and potentially animation, creating a broader understanding of inequality.

The agency will be responsible for:

Pre-Production: Storyboarding, planning shoot locations (if live-action), getting boots on the ground.

• Production: Filming, directing, or creating animations/visuals.
• Post-Production: Editing, sound design, motion graphics, and subtitles for multiple regional languages.
• Deliverables: A 2–3 minute main film, plus 15–30 second snippets for social media, optimized for Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, etc.

5. Target Audience

• Young adults (18–35) in Asia who are active on social media and interested in social justice

6. Approach and Style

The script and film should be:

• Real and Relatable: Rooted in lived experiences of diverse Asian communities.
• Solution-Oriented: Highlight resilience, adaptation, and movements toward justice.
• Empowering: Conclude with a message that motivates reflection and action.

Tone: Engaging, informative, accessible, and culturally sensitive, with high-quality visuals.

7. Deliverables and Timeline

• Script and Storyboard: Within 2 weeks of contract signing.
• Rough Cut: 4 weeks after storyboard approval.
• Final Film and Social Media Edits: 2 weeks after rough cut feedback.

Total Project Timeline: Approximately 8 weeks from start date.

7. Payment Terms

Payment structure:

• 25% upon signing of contract.
• 50% upon approval of rough cut.
• 25% upon final delivery and approval of all deliverables.

8. Agency Qualifications

• Proven experience in social impact storytelling or work on social justice issues.
• Strong portfolio in high-quality visual content, with preference for experience in NGOs or topics on colonization, inequality, or social justice.
• Cultural familiarity with Asia is highly desirable.

9. Application Process

Interested agencies should submit:

• A proposal outlining their approach, creative brief, and timeline.
• Budget breakdown
• Team composition and roles
• Relevant past work samples
• Two referees contact detail with whom the consultant has worked in similar assignment before