This paper discusses the development of a sociocultural and local, context-sensitive base for guidance in selection and evaluation of instructional media. The development of system relationships criterion specifically targeted at 16mm educational film is the focus of the paper. Banathy's educational systems model is used as a base upon which additional components are added. The following system criterion are proposed: (1) political/social level (curriculum motivated vs. product driven influences); (2) professional preparatory level (academic/certification technology emphasis for educators); (3) capitalist educational support industry level (for profit agencies); (4) institutional level (system/state-wide administration); (5) administrative level (school); (6) instructional level (active curriculum); and (7) learning experience (classroom). These proposed criteria will be formulated into a traditional systems model in future works. (Contains 9 references.) (JLB)