IFP (Independent Feature Project)

Independent Feature Project (IFP) is the name for a series of membership-based, not-for-profit organizations. The largest constituent organization under the IFP umbrella is in New York City. Affiliated regional organizations exist in Chicago, Minneapolis-Saint Paul, Phoenix and Seattle. Taken as a whole, the mission of the IFP is to produce programs that assist independent filmmakers in connecting with film industry professionals and ultimately, connecting to audiences. It was founded in 1979 by independent filmmakers. It has over five thousand members out of the NY office. The organization's executive director is Michelle Byrd.

Initiatives

Among the major programs and intiatives are the following:

Independent Film Week

Produced by IFP this is a four-day promotional campaign to help draw new audiences to independent film and independent theaters in New York City. It includes a first of its kind reduced-price ticket promotion of $6 for all shows Monday - Thursday. Participating theaters in 2006 included Landmark's Sunshine Cinema in the East Village and Brooklyn's BAM Rose Cinemas.

IFP Market

Founded in 1979, the IFP Market is a five-day showcase, held each autumn in New York, for new independent projects. It is unique in the U.S. for providing a forum for independent screenwriters, directors and producers with projects in various stages of development to present their work directly to industry executives. To facilitate business opportunities, IFP schedules more than 1,800 one-on-one meetings annually for filmmakers with participating projects and high-level industry executives. Sections include: Emerging Narrative, Spotlight on Documentaries and the No Borders International Co-Production Market. In total, approximately 200 projects are invited to participate annually. The IFP Market takes place during Independent Film Week.

"Filmmaker Magazine"

Filmmaker Magazine is the leading publication (print, on-line and through its blog) providing an insider's perspective into all areas of the American independent filmmaking experience, including articles covering the creative process, business and technology. It is written by filmmakers for filmmakers and film lovers. Its editorial direction is governed by Sundance Award-winning producer, Scott Macaulay, the magazine's editor since 1992. The magazine is published quarterly and available as a benefit of IFP membership or through direct subscription, and at retail chains and newsstands internationally.

Filmmaker Conference

Content producers and those trying to reach them converge for five days in New York for 40+ panels, workshops and networking. The focus is on the business of filmmaking with a dedication to exploring new trends in technological applications as well as financing and distribution structures. With more than 3,000 in attendance, the Conference venues include a ballroom that can accommodate 400, a gallery workshop space for 100 and a Liquid Lounge which serves by day as a lounge for informal meetings over coffee and transitions nightly into a venue to kick back and enjoy a live music performance. The Filmmaker Conference takes place in September during Independent Film Week.

IFP Labs

Mentorship. Nurturing diverse voices from across the country. Supporting low-budget, independently produced films by emerging filmmakers. These are just a few of the objectives of IFP's Lab program. Since the program's inception in 2005, 27 films directed by first-time feature directors have taken part in these three-day intensive workshops which focus on the final stage of film completion and readiness for the film festival circuit. More than 50% of these dramatic features and feature-length documentaries have women, gay/lesbian and people of color in key creative positions. Films from the Labs have premiered at major national and international festivals such as Rotterdam ("Inner Circle Line"), LA Film Festival ("Undoing"), Slamdance Film Festival ("The Guatemalan Handshake"), and SXSW ("Jumping Off Bridges"), and have garnered prestigious awards and industry recognition.

IFP International

This umbrella initiative connects U.S. independent filmmakers at festivals and markets in Rotterdam, Berlin, Cannes and Pusan. Programs such as IFP Producers Fellowships for mid-career producers to receive modest travel stipends to attend these festivals and markets and promotion through IFP's marketing campaign at these events, American Directors at Cannes Press Conference, participation in the Cannes Producers Network, IFP Booth in Berlin and other events during the Berlin Film Festival and European Film Market.

IFP's "Sneak Peek" Screening Series

Provides members with monthly preview screenings followed by Q&As with the filmmakers.

IFP's Gotham Awards

This event celebrates the authentic voices behind and in front of the camera in films made each year. By recognizing that the best films come from a place that is more firmly rooted in the grasp of filmmakers - and not made by committee - the Gotham Awards salute the innovative films and filmmakers whose passion and vision make their way onto the screen year after year. Tributes and Six Juried Awards, including: Best Feature, Best Documentary, Breakthrough Actor, Breakthrough Director, Best Ensemble Cast and Best Film Not Playing at a Theater Near You.

Industry Connect

Monthly workshops designed to enhance professional development and provide networking opportunities among members. Topics range from financing, production, post-production, sales, distribution and marketing with industry experts.

Fiscal Sponsorship

Because many individuals, foundations, corporations or governmental organizations restrict funding of indepdent projects to tax-exempt organizations, IFP's Fiscal Sponsorship program is a legal mechanism by which financial, administrative and mentorship services are provided to selected projects thereby allowing them to offer potential donors the incentive of a charitable deduction for income tax purposes they could not otherwise offer.

External links

* [http://www.ifp.org/ official web site]