About
About PIFVA
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PIFVA is a membership organization started by filmmakers whose mission is to strengthen, promote and serve Philadelphia’s independent media community through programs which provide opportunities to learn, mentor, produce and screen work, advocate for the community and network. PIFVA is dedicated to increasing the creative capacity of the Philadelphia region by supporting and expanding the work of regionally based media makers. PIFVA’s education programs promote public appreciation of independent media making and encourage the talent and ability of area’s creative community of filmmakers.
- PIFVA is the region’s primary resource for emerging and established independent producers, students, women, people of color and others who have traditionally found it difficult to break into the various branches of the film industry.
- PIFVA seeks to increase the creation and completion of new independent film projects through its long-running Finishing Funds Grant program which gives cash and in-kind grants to member applicants.
- PIFVA aims to provide much needed networking and learning spaces for media makers to share work, garner feedback, and learn new skills through our public programs which include screenings of members’ work and skill building workshops and Internet driven communications and website.
- PIFVA strives to be a trusted advocate for the independent maker both regionally and nationally.
PIFVA HISTORY
The Philadelphia Independent Film and Video Association (PIFVA) was formed in 1979 by independent filmmakers to provide services to media makers working in all genres, styles and at all levels of experience. A program at International House for 19 years, PIFVA evolved into an essential and dynamic resource for local media makers, encouraging independent, non-commercial, artistically provocative, diverse, and community-based production of work. In 1998 International House no longer was able to continue PIFVA as one of its programs. A concerned community of filmmakers formed a PIFVA Advisory Council to develop viable strategies for PIFVA’s future. In 2002 PIFVA received 501(c)(3) status and has since been run by an active Board of Directors, volunteers and a paid coordinator. In January 2007 PIFVA moved to an expanded office located within the facilities of Scribe Video Center
Staff/Board
Caroline Savage, Coordinator
contactus@pifva.org
Board Members
Gretjen Clausing,
Executive Director, Philadelphia Public Access
Michael Dennis, Director, ReelBlack
Bill DuPertuis,
Independent Filmmaker
Joni Helton,
Program Director, Scribe Video Center
Ben Kalina,
Independent Producer
Shannon Kane-Meddock, Independent Documentary Filmmaker
Alexis Newton Landis,
Content Production Associate, WHYY TV 12
Gail Lloyd, filmmaker
Deborah Rudman,
Program Director, DUTV and member of Termite TV Collective
Caroline Savage,
Arts Planning + Grantwriting Consultant and Experimental Filmmaker
GET INVOLVED
PIFVA seeks and encourages the participation of its members in the development and maintenance of all programs and services. Membership in PIFVA is open to anyone interested in creating and supporting independent media.
Become a Board Member
Bursting with Ideas? Passionate about supporting our vibrant media community.
Consider joining the PIFVA Board!
We are seeking motivated, creative, connected, Phillylovin’ media types. You must be willing to commit to 6 board meetings a year plus committee work. It’s a great way to be in the center of the loop of what’s brewing on the media scene. And to help shape the priorities and future of PIFVA.
In addition to the work the board does as a unified group, PIFVA work is also carried out by four smaller committees made up of both board and PIFVA members. Those committees are Events, Finance, Member Relations/Communications, and Subsidy Grants. Each committee sets its own goals and introduces them for evaluation at PIFVA’s bi-monthly board meetings where logistics, timelines, promotion and quantity and quality of participants are thoroughly discussed.
Interested applicants should contact PIFVA via email at contactus@pifva.org for details.
Become a Committee Member or Volunteer
Not ready to take the plunge and become a board member? Consider joining one of our committees. We need members who are interested in participating in the planning and executing of screenings, events and workshops. For example — Do you have an idea for a workshop you would like to offer or would you like to start an informal Fundraising Support Group or Scriptwriting Group? Let us know. That is the kind of member generated programming that we want to add to our on-going activities. As a membership organization PIFVA needs us all to contribute ideas and energy to our
We always need volunteers at events and could also use help in the office with administrative support.
Contact us via email at contactus@pifva.org or by calling the office at (215) 382-2579 and speak with the Caroline Savage, Coordinator.
