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In 1978, twelve local filmmakers and artists collaborated to form the Calgary Society of Independent Filmmakers in response to a growing interest in film production and need for equipment and resources. The CSIF was created as a direct result of an initiative by the Canada Council to establish a more effective means of distributing arts funding to film artists throughout the country.
Throughout the late 1970’s and early 1980’s funding was established through the Canada Council, the Alberta Foundation for the Arts and the Calgary Region Art Foundation to provide the equipment and resources for independent filmmakers in Calgary. Memberships grew as did interest in learning the techniques of 8 mm and 16 mm filmmaking so workshops were introduced to increase the skill level of members.
It was also in the early 1990’s that two important aspects of CSIF’s current activities were established: distributing National Film Board production funding for local film projects, and exhibition of indigenous film through the creation of The $100 Film Festival in 1991.
Many members from these days have gone on to success in the Canadian independent film industry due to their hard work and imagination, aided by the CSIF’s focus on production, exhibition and providing resources such as workshops and information sharing. Members today are still benefiting from this focus and, as their technical needs diversify and change, the CSIF attempts to keep up with these changes.
Exhibition of film has grown with the success of the $100 Film Festival every year and the success of the Visiting Artists’ series that both informs and inspires Calgary area filmmakers. The audience for film in Calgary has diversified as well so the CSIF partnered with the Gay and Lesbian Services Community Association to present the first annual FairyTales International Queer Film Festival in 1998. Just as the $100 Film Festival has grown to accommodate the increasing audience for independent film, so has the FairyTales Film Festival.
The steady increase in membership and the increased demands on resources were the impetus for change in 2002 when the CSIF moved out of its downtown location to a larger facility. Building J2 has the room to house a screening facility, two editing suites, a 16mm and Super8 film library and a members’ area with computer and internet access. As the CSIF enters its 25th year of operation, the future looks bright for independent filmmakers.
MISSION STATEMENT
The Calgary Society of Independent Filmmakers is an inclusive, non-profit, arts-based society that exists to encourage film making as art, reflecting and challenging our changing cultural landscape through production and exhibition of the Filmmaker’s work.
We encourage all levels of membership by providing resources and workshops to increase members skills and achieve personal arts-based expression in a non-exploitive film productions. We encourage our members to volunteer in the activities of the CSIF. Through exhibitions and community outreach we will strive to increase the public awareness of the CSIF, its Producing Members and their work.
The Mission of the Calgary Society of Independent Filmmakers (CSIF) is to encourage, support and endorse the production and exhibition of film in an artistic, social and cultural context. The CSIF is structured in such a way as to enable filmmakers to learn, develop and practice film making in an environment free from box office pressure, securing an integrity of product and allowing for the development of an indigenous film language.
EXHIBITIONThe Calgary Society of Independent Filmmakers supports
and endorses the exhibition of film in an artistic, social and cultural
context. The CSIF maintains an ongoing schedule of independent film and
media arts exhibitions, that includes two annual film festivals. The $100
Film Festival and the FairyTales International Queer Film Festival act
as the CSIF's marquee programming events. Established as alternatives
for audiences who search out challenging and creative films, these two
festivals have spotlighted many indigenous filmmakers and have also drawn
attention to the talent that has visited from across the country and beyond.
With the recent introduction of the Visiting Artists screenings, many
films that have never before found a home in Calgary are now getting a
chance for increased exposure. Films shown at our festivals and others
presented by CSIF throughout the year act as an outreach and educational
tool tied into the aims and objectives of our society.
PRODUCTION
As a member driven artist run centre, the Calgary Society of Independent
Filmmakers provides support to its producing membership by making accessible
the resources that this membership needs in order to produce their work.
The CSIF has a responsibility to its artists to provide them with access
to professional and industry standard equipment and facilities that they
would otherwise not have access to. This includes access to 16mm film
production equipment and broadcast standard audio and video post-production
facilities.
The CSIF encourages volunteerism within in the spirit of the it's co-operative nature. Volunteers continue to provide direction through their input on committees such as the $100, FairyTales, the CSIF's 25th Anniversary celebration, work on AnswerPrint , maintaining the libraries and assisting in administrative duties. Volunteers are the backbone of the organization, and their energy and vitality significantly contribute to our success. The encouragement of their participation will continue.
Volunteer opportunities also include participating on members film projects exist at the CSIF