Starting a Film Society in Victoria?

The FVFS — Federation of Victorian Film Societies — has helped hundreds of film societies & film clubs over the last 70 years to …

  • get started
  • solve problems of all sorts
  • apply practical improvements
  • find films & purchase screening rights
  • put together film programs
  • get registered with ACOFS
  • save money

Every Film Society is a Unique Vision

That’s the genius of the Film Society Movement!

Whether your Film Society specialises in foreign films, Arthouse, musical comedies, horror, fantasy, or a bit of everything … Whether you’re brand new or well-established, whether you run your Film Society in a home, a community hall, or a fully decked-out cinema, the FVFS is here to support you!

Because that’s what we do: Develop and share resources to help you get started and help your Film Society become better than ever.

Our quarterly newsletter and dozens of practical information sheets are treasure troves of ideas, problem-solving, and solid information.

Your Film Society & Success? That’s so “FVFS”!

Whether you need advice on screening rights or screening equipment … putting together your film program or putting together a film festival, we can help.

Find out more & let’s connect.


A bit more about the FVFS

Founded in 1949, the Federation of Victorian Film Societies (FVFS) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting the Film Society Movement across Victoria — film education and study, film appreciation, history, and culture. Our members are film societies as well as NPV (NonProfit Volunteer-run) film festivals and NPV cinemas across Victoria.

With 70 years experience, the FVFS is able to provide information, resources and advice on every aspect of starting and running a successful film society. We publish a regular newsletter, organize film and public liability insurance for members, and represent and defend the interests of our members when dealing with both the commercial and government sector.

FVFS Patron: David Stratton

The FVFS offers organizational, technical, legal and financial information and resources. For example, the FVFS can assist film societies wanting to move from 16mm film to DVD projection and can provide technical and programming advice. Under the Australian copyright laws it is not permitted to screen DVDs in public without prior permission from the rights holder and payment of an appropriate fee. We can advise you on how to identify the rights holders and apply for cost effective fees for “non-theatrical” screenings. The FVFS represents its members’ views and defends the interests of its members at ACOFS (the Australian Council of Film Societies), at the IFFS (at the International Federation of Film Societies), at film libraries, film and DVD distributors, and to State and National Government. The FVFS is a non-profit organization incorporated in Victoria and registered with the Australian Tax Office as a charity. It is run entirely by energetic volunteers drawn from representatives of member groups. Our patron is David Stratton, popular film critic, best known from his time as co-presenter of At the Movies on ABC TV and The Movie Show on SBS.

The Executive Committee

The FVFS executive committee consists of: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and up to 8 committee members. Between them, these individuals provide nearly all the FVFS services to members. Each member of the executive committee is himself/herself also actively involved in running a film society of their own.

Our current office bearers are:

Executive

  • President: Henry Screen
  • Vice President: John Turner
  • Secretary: Susan Davidson
  • Treasurer: Ian Davidson

Committee

Jean Middleton, Suzanne Nunn, John Shortridge, Mike Tye, Graham Pitts

To contact the committee click here.