About AIVF

Contact

Association of Independent Video & Filmmakers

304 Hudson Street, 6th floor

New York, NY 10013

Phone: 212/807-1400

Fax: 212/463-8519

info@aivf.org

The Association of Independent Video and Filmmakers is a membership organization serving local and international film and videomakers—from documentarians and experimental artists to makers of narrative features. We enhance the growth of independent media by providing services and resources, including:

Informative seminars and networking events ;

Trade discounts and access to group health and production insurance;

A public resource library

Publication of essential books and directories, including The AIVF Guide to International Film & Video Festivals, and The AIVF Self-Distribution Toolkit.

The Independent Film & Video Monthly, which is a foremost national publication dedicated to the diverse issues facing the independent media field.

Media advocacy for independent artists.

Information services including advice and referral for independent filmmakers and media artists.

History: (only part of long history on site)

By 1980 AIVF was an organization transformed. Gone were the heroic days of meetings, screenings, workshops, and membership activity. They had been replaced by an office staff, an executive director, and a magazine that has since become the focal point of AIVF activity.

Some of the inspiration and creative energy that had been so wonderful to both witness and participate in during the organization's formation stage had been lost. Lynch suggested it was probably inevitable that, when choosing between career and voluntary service to the community, people would eventually opt to take care of their own needs. "Fundamentally," he concluded, "people matured out of the organization. It was a perfectly natural change." The first four years of AIVF were filled with moments of extraordinary possibility. Some possibilities, like the funding of independent films and video, never materialized. Others, like the CETA program and the Short Film Showcase, influenced the development of the organization, but vanished as government money dried up. But the very first disputes, both with the AFI and over copyright issues, were the benchmarks for AIVF's future advocacy efforts. Out of the efforts has evolved a larger, more structured institution with an in-house library, a festival bureau, and its own mouthpiece, The Independent. Some things, however, do remain the same: Members today, as in years past, gain a certain comfort in knowing they are not alone in their struggle as independents.

Individual membership begins with the following benefits:

- 10 issues of The Independent Video and Film Monthly

-40% off a subscription to VARIETY , the cornerstone of Hollywood trades!

-Eligibility to buy into one of our many Health Insurance programs

-Save money by using the discounted services from over 100 companies across the country. From airline tickets and insurance providers to negative cutters and duplication, our trade discount program can offer solutions at every stage of production and distribution.

-Member-only web services such as our festival directory. Updated monthly, this directory can call up deadlines and contact

information on over 1,000 film festivals.

-AIVF workshops and events cover the whole spectrum of issues affecting the field. Practical guides on festivals, distribution, exhibition and outreach help you get your film to audiences.

-Members are eligible for discounted rates on health and production insurance offered by providers who design plans tailored to the needs of low-budget mediamakers. Businesses across the country offer discounts on equipment and auto rentals, stock and expendibles, film processing, transfers, editing, shipping, and other production necessities. Members also receive discounts on classified ads in The Independent.

How much is membership?

Individual membership:$70

Individual Two-year membership: $130

-10 issues of The Independent

-Eligibility to participate in our member discounts program which includes car rentals, hotel stays, post production resources, health and production insurance programs, and much more.

-Discounted admission to all of our events nationally

-Member Only access to Festival database and back issues of the magazine.

-Discounted Classified Advertising

Students: $40

-All of the above

To join, mail a copy of the Student membership flyer and a copy of your current student ID to our offices,

AIVF

304 Hudson Street, 6th floor

New York, Ny 10013

RE: Student Membership

Dual membership: $110

Dual Two year membership: $220

-10 issues of The Independent

-Discounted admission to events for two people

1. -Access to the member only areas of the web site for two people.

There are currently no positions available.

VOLUNTEER AT AIVF

AIVF seeks short-term volunteers to assist with on-going projects, monthly mailings, and our regular calendar of events. Flexible scheduling. Contact our Membership Director to find out how to get involved with AIVF! We offer a free one-year membership for every 30 hours completed.

AIVF INTERNS

Individuals interested or involved in media arts and independent film/video work directly with AIVF staff in our lively SoHo office environment. AIVF offers interns flexible scheduling, hands-on learning experience, and prime exposure to the vast independent filmmaking community. For those looking to move into film or video production, being actively involved with AIVF will introduce you to great information resources and will help you make those connections you need to further develop your career.

We are currently accepting applications for

Summer '05 internships (May-Sept.)