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

Focused on Victorians

The FVFS is your local, Victorian Film Society Federation with the responsibility of supporting Victorian Film Societies.

Because we are a local support group — run by Victorians for Victorians — we can offer member Film Societies services and facilities not available and not possible with a “national” body.

However, there are similar locally run Film Society Federations in every state (see the list of our “sister Federations” in the right-hand column) and, just like the FVFS, they focus on their state’s members. Along with the FVFS, all these state Federations are members of ACOFS — which means nation-wide cooperation and sharing, combined with highly localised support. It’s the best of both worlds.

As well as our extensive online resources …

• We offer assistance and advice tailored to our members in Victoria.
• We can offer to visit Film Societies in Victoria and meet your committee.
• We invite members to attend our regular Information Days and AGMs – in person.
• We aim to arrange at least two Information Days per year (and an AGM) at venues throughout Victoria, hosted by the many Victorian Film Societies.

Victoria is the home to more film societies than any other state and has the most effective well resourced state body to serve the needs of member societies.

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.

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 5 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
• Secretary: Susan Davidson
• Treasurer: Ian Davidson

Committee

Suzanne Nunn, John Shortridge, Graham Pitts, Geoff Holmes, Kerry Deakin

To contact the committee click here.