Arizona International Film Festival

Serving Arizona since 1985 with innovative multi-cultural programs in exhibition and education, Arizona Media Arts Center fosters the appreciation, production and understanding of independent media expression.

ORGANIZATION HISTORY/PROFILE:

Founded as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization in 1985, the Arizona Media Arts Center keeps building on three exciting components: 1)The Screening Room, 2)Arizona International Film Festival and 3)Festival in the Schools. A basic Center premise is bridging cultures globally, and partnering with community organizations.

The Screening Room, a 120-seat exhibition/film/event space located in downtown Tucson since 1989, showcases independent films including international cinema, documentaries, local film works, and multi-media events. Also presented are poetry readings, other special performances, music events, and art exhibitions. The Screening Room also hosts numerous festivals throughout the year including the Arizona International Film Festival, the oldest film celebration in Arizona.

The Arizona International Film Festival, each year premieres a diverse program of new works from around the globe. Since 1990, the Festival has shown more than 2900 films from 96 countries around the world to more than 164,000 film lovers of all ages. The Festival always produces exciting surprises, challenging subject matter and a bountiful repertoire of films you won't find anywhere else. Many of the films screened go on to win prestigious awards including Oscars, Golden Globes and national recognition.

While showcasing the very best in independent cinema, the programming theme of "Bridging Cultures" provides a way to share images and voices from diverse cultures that can play an effective role in educating Arizona audiences of all ages. Remaining true to the independent spirit, the Arizona International Film Festival is a venue for independent filmmakers in search of an independent audience.

Festival-in-the-Schools (FITS): Teachers love FITS, filmmakers love FITS. And kids love FITS.
This is an amazing and unique program which has become another mainstay of the Center.
FITS provides Arizona youth the unique opportunity to interact with local and visiting national and international filmmakers opening their world to many different cultures, lifestyles and points-of-views.

Through FITS, area youth are able to meet with working filmmakers and talk with them about the process of film production, innovative problem solving, and creative expression in contemporary society. To promote and encourage diversity, the Festival-in-the-Schools program selects filmmakers from all ethnic backgrounds (with an emphasis on Chicano, Native American and African American) and places filmmakers in schools that have diverse student populations. Several teachers have commented on FITS filmmakers' abilities to break through to particularly tough audiences and arouse genuine interest.

Recognized and supported by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, FITS programs have allowed over 25,000 youth to participate since its inception.

Center programs are designed to serve a variety of audiences: (1) independent producers and media arts students; (2) the general public; (3) the regional Latino community with Spanish language films; (4) the LBGTQ and other minority communities not represented in mainstream media; and (5) K-12 including youth-at-risk through in school programs, workshops, screenings, and educational programs. Other outreach efforts include travelling programs, Facebook, You-Tube, Instagram and the Festival website.

Testimonials

WHAT FILMMAKERS ARE SAYING ABOUT THE ARIZONA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

"AIFF is one of the bright spots on the independent film festival trail for me. Having attended dozens of film festivals, I can honestly say that AIFF has the formula right. They know how to give filmmakers opportunities to shine and network with one another." - Jim Lounsbury (The Meaning of VanLife, Australia, AIFF2019)

"As a filmmaker, this was a first rate experience. The projection and sound were among the best I've ever witnessed at a festival." - Len Morris (Children of Bal Ashram, USA, AIFF2019)

"I had a wonderful time at this festival. The Screening Room is a wonderful venue for independent cinema. They attracted a reasonable crowd for a slate of short films, not an easy feat in the age of streaming television." - Forman Howes (Going Up, Canada, AIFF2019)

"A true gem! Out of more than 50 festival screenings, the one at The Screening Room was one of the best. Tucson is magical!" - Niv Klainer (Don't Think About It, USA, AIFF2017)

"The dedication and passion for celebrating the ART of filmmaking is rare these days, but trust me, you can still find it at AIFF!" -- Julia Huffman (Medicine of the Wolf, USA, AIFF2015)

WHAT SCHOOLS ARE SAYING ABOUT FESTIVAL-IN-THE-SCHOOLS (FITS)

"Several of my students are studying filmmaking or media arts in college as a result of this program...