Australian Council of Film Societies
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Australian Council of Film Societies (ACOFS), established in 1950, is the national body for film societies in Australia. In 2004 ACOFS celebrated fifty four years of operation, and has seen many fluctuations in its membership and activities over that period. There has been a lively and active film society culture in Australia for over fifty years and as we move into the 21st Century many people are rediscovering the unique experience offered by watching films on 16 mm.
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[edit] Film Societies in Australia
The membership of Australia’s Film Societies varies between 1000 plus to less than 50, and in some outback areas probably 20 to 30 is the norm. Many significant films can only be seen in Australia by members of the general public if they belong to a film society. Most of the films screened by film societies in Australia are selected from the more than 6,000 titles held by the National Film and Video Lending Service, owned and managed by the National Film and Sound Archive. Australia has a world renowned collection of 16 mm feature and short films which are available to film societies for a handling charge only. There is also an Archive of mainly Australian films which again are available for screening. Protecting these two invaluable resources has been one of their main activities over the past few years.
[edit] Notable Presidents
John Heyer, was a keen supporter of films and the film industry all his life, he was actively involved in promoting and developing the Australian film society movement in the 1940s and 1950s. He was president of the Australian Council of Film Societies and the Sydney Film Society, and was involved in the establishment of the Sydney and Melbourne Film Festivals.
[edit] Membership
There are four state federations covering the six states and Northern Territory, and approximately one hundred and twenty societies as members of these federations.
- Federation of NSW and Associated Film Societies
- Federation of Victorian Film Societies[1]
- WA Federation of Film Societies
- SA Federation of Film Societies
- Tasmanian Federation of Film Societies
Annual Conference
The state federations operate independently, and delegates meet once a year at the ACOFS Conference and AGM to set policy for the coming year.
The Australian Council of Film Societies (ACOFS) hold their Annual General Meeting at their Annual Conference. Film enthusiasts and film society members come from each Australian state to attend the Conference. The 2005 ACOFS Conference held 11- 13 March 2005, was hosted by the National Film and Sound Archive in Canberra. The Archive's new Director, Paolo Cherchi Usai, addressed the meeting, and there was also be a film screening from the collection. Those that attended the Conference also had an opportunity to see the National Film and Video Lending Service, (NFVLS) facilities and meet the staff.
[edit] Services
ACOFS itself provides publicity, education and information, but its main role is to keep the film society movement to the forefront when government policy and self interest pushes the many non-commercial, fragmented Australian film bodies to the fore. The state federations on the other hand have a more hands on approach, and provide insurance policies, preview feature and short films, run film weekends and generally help the smaller societies to stay afloat year after year.
ACOFS can provide a state-by-state listing of film societies around Australia. Existing groups or individuals interested in starting a film society can request information and advice from the State Federations of Film Societies or ACOFS (the parent body). They provide information, advice and services that are not available to the individual.
Among the benefits available through ACOFS and the Federations are:
- A film insurance scheme to protect against loss or damage of film
- Film distribution arrangements to reduce the cost of film hire and freight
- A voucher system for the use of the AFI Research and Information Library.
Other services include film weekends, film appraisal screenings and the publication of newsletters.
Publications
- ACOFS Film Screening Handbook, a comprehensive 96 page guide to forming and running a film society. It also contains valuable information for groups or organisations screening films non-commercially, including where to obtain films and the technical aspects of good presentation.
- National Feature Film & Video Catalogue, the most comprehensive listing of feature length films available on 16 mm and VHS in Australia which is useful as a reference.
ACOFS is a member of the International Federation of Film Societies.
[edit] References
- Brian McFarlane, Geoff Mayer, Ina Bertrand (Ed.) (1999). The Oxford companion to Australian film. Melbourne, Australia ; New York: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-553797-1.
