Over the years, independent cinema has grown significantly
in prominence thanks to the rise of film
societies festivals, and arthouse theaters around the world.
Whether you're seeking a showcase of LGBTQ-themed movies,
or looking for special events that offer film
and food pairings, consider the organizations listed here
in no particular order.
Starting with # 1 is Reel Q, which
began in 19 82 as the Pittsburgh Lesbian
& Gay Film Series. Its mission is to
showcase independent LGBTQ cinema that's largely inaccessible to
mainstream audiences. Reel Q is held during October
each year, and provides a variety of programs
panels parties, and community activities.
Contributing to the cultural vitality of Pittsburgh, the
group works to support and provide a platform
for LGBTQ artists, and to foster international perspectives
within the community. Beyond the festival, the organization
runs year-round events including the Reel Stories and
Reel Youth series. It also facilitates meet-and-greets, artist
markets, and partnered community events every month.
Next, at # 2 we have the Cinema
Arts Centre, or CAC, which operates with the
mission of bringing the best in film artistry
to Long Island, New York. Founded in 19
73 the CAC has grown to become a
state-of-the-art theater, with digital and 35mm projection capability,
three main auditoriums, and a big screen in
the Sky Room Cafe.
The CAC offers Film Arts in Education screenings
for schools in Nassau and Suffolk counties. The
organization seeks to expose students in Long Island
to the languages and cultures of other countries,
provide opportunities to see and hear dramatizations of
great literary works, and to explore visions of
both history and contemporary society.
Coming in at # 3 is Metro Cinema.
A community-based not-for-profit society, it's devoted to fostering
diverse and unique shared viewing experiences in Edmonton
Canada. Metro Cinema programs an eclectic blend of
film and media arts by presenting educational independent
cultural, and innovative works.
The society provides opportunities for the public to
curate programming, and partners with community groups to
host film festivals and special events. Metro Cinema
operates with the ongoing assistance of a large
volunteer base, keeping cinematic experiences as affordable as
possible for its patrons.
At # 4 we have the Austin Film
Society, or AFS. Founded in 19 85 by
director Richard Linklater, AFS creates opportunities for independent
filmmakers, catalyzes Austin and Texas as creative hubs,
and brings the community together around great cinema.
The Society strives to assist filmmakers toward career
leaps, encouraging exceptional artistic projects with grants and
support services.
AFS operates Austin Studios, a 20-acre production facility,
to attract and grow the local creative media
ecosystem. There's also Austin Public, a studio for
the city's diverse media-makers to train and collaborate.
The space is inclusive and content-neutral, offering low-
and no-cost training equipment facilities, and content distribution
services to the community.
In the # 5 spot is the New
Orleans Film Society, which discovers cultivates, and amplifies
the multitudinous voices of contemporary filmmakers. The Society
produces the New Orleans Film Festival, one of
the few festivals that is Oscar-qualifying in all
three Academy-accredited categories.
In addition, the Society empowers creators through Emerging
Voices, a nationally recognized mentorship program for filmmakers
of color, as well as through other initiatives
such as the Southern Producers Lab and the
annual South Pitch competition. Beyond the New Orleans
Film Festival, the Society works to build a
vibrant cinema culture in the South by producing
a mix of public and members-only year-round events.
Arriving at # 6 is MSP Film Society,
a non-profit exhibition organization that seeks to bring
the best of international and independent cinema to
Minnesota audiences. The Society's mission is to foster
a knowledgeable and vibrant appreciation of the art
of film and its power to inform and
transform individuals and communities.
MSP is best known for the Minneapolis St.
Paul International Film Festival. Presented every April, the
Festival is the largest international arts event in
the region, exhibiting hundreds of films from countries
all over the world each year, and drawing
growing audiences. The Society also hosts the annual
Cine Latino, a showcase of the best new
works by artists from US Latino, Latin American,
and Iberian communities.
Finally, for # 7 we find O Cinema,
an independent, community-based non-profit arthouse cinema in Miami-Dade
County, featuring first-run movies programs, and events. Its
mission is to provide intriguing entertaining, and superior
quality films that audiences might not otherwise see
in South Florida.
Aside from a regular schedule of revolving new
works, O Cinema produces special themed programming in
order to explore important contemporary topics. One such
program, Art Films, exhibits the best of cinema
by and about artists, and pairs each screening
with food and mimosas, followed by a post-film
discussion with the creators.