About IFP/PHX

In March 2006, the Phoenix Film Project was re-named Independent Feature Project: Phoenix with the unanimous approval of all of the other IFP chapters throughout the country (New York, Chicago, Minneapolis/St. Paul and Seattle).

Independent Feature Project: Phoenix (IFP/PHX) supports and develops the growth of independent filmmaking in Arizona through comprehensive training, networking and exhibition opportunities. It is a program of the 501c3 Phoenix Film Foundation and is a sibling to the Phoenix Film Festival, the Phoenix Film Society, the Arizona Student Film Festival and the International Horror and Sci-Fi Film Festival.

Since its inception as the Phoenix Film Project in 2001, short film challenges, educational workshops, film screenings and networking events have been a staple on the calendar of events.

In April 2005, SCREEN WARS was launched, a weekly thirty-minute television show on AZ-TV. It showcases three-minute short films and provides unprecedented exposure for Arizona filmmakers. The first season ran from April 2005-April 2006 and garnered Seven Emmy ® nominations and four wins. The second season aired from January - April 2007 and garnered four nominations, including Best Arts/Entertainment Program.

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THE PHOENIX FILM FOUNDATION

History
The Phoenix Film Foundation was started in to support the Phoenix Film Festival which was first held in 2001. Since its start, the Phoenix Film Festival has experienced a tremendous amount of growth. Since starting in 2001 with 3,000 attendees, the Festival has grown from 15% to 35% on an annual basis with attendance of over 20,000 at the 2009 festival.

In addition to the Festival, the Foundation supports several other film organizations. In 2002, the Phoenix Film Project was created. The mission of the Phoenix Film Project is to create a community for local, independent filmmakers in the Valley of the Sun. In 2004, the Foundation created the Phoenix Film Society, a membership-based filmgoer community group to attend screenings and discuss films. In 2005, the International Horror and Sci-Fi Film Festival was started to showcase films from those genres. In 2006, the Phoenix Film Project became the fifth chapter of IFP (Independent Feature Projects) and is now IFP-PHX. Also in 2006, the Arizona Student Film Festival was created as a showcase and educational opportunity for Arizona high school students.


PHOENIX FILM FESTIVAL

April 8 – April 15, 2010

Over the last nine years the Phoenix Film Festival has become the largest film festival in the state of Arizona with attendance surpassing 20,000 annually and media coverage and marketing values of nearly one million dollars. This growth would not be possible without the support of our key partners; Cox, Harkins, Whole Foods, The Arizona Republic, Desert Schools Credit Union, Peroni, The Art Institute of Phoenix, UAT, Collins College Westin Kierland, Media Publishers Group and KTAR.

HISTORY OF THE PHOENIX FILM FESTIVAL

2001 – The inaugural Phoenix Film Festival was held in 2001 at the Arizona Center in downtown Phoenix with attendance of over 3,000. Celebrity guests include Alison Anders and Tommy Davidson.

2002 – The second annual festival has attendance over 5,000 with honored guests including Candy Clark (American Graffiti) and Brian O’Hallaran (Clerks).

2003 – Festival attendance reaches 7,000 and celebrities in attendance grow to include actor Edward Burns and directors James Foley and John Waters.

2004 – The festival shifts to Harkins Scottsdale 101 and expands to four days with huge success as attendance increases to 11,000. The Educational Outreach program for high school students is started and the Party Pavilion makes its debut. Celebrities include Academy Award nominated actor Peter Fonda and director John Landis.

2005 – In its fifth year the festival attendance swells to 15,000 with actors Kevin Bacon, Kyra Sedgwick and Tom Arnold in attendance. Kevin and his brother Michael play the Saturday Night Bash with the Bacon Brothers Band.

2006 – The festival expands to eight days with attendance of 18,000. The Educational Outreach program is also expanded from one day to four days. Recipients of the Copper Wing Award are Laurence Fishburne and Robert Wagner.

2007 – The event draws a record, 20,000 attendees. Celebrity guests honored include Jane Seymour, Robert Forster and Alan Cumming. Featured act in the Party Pavilion included Sony recording artists, “The Damnwells”

2008 – The event hosts the Arizona premiere of the award winning film, “The Visitor” and guests; Thomas McCarthy, Tom Arnold and Shane West.

2009 – The event enters its ninth year with guests; Academy Award nominee Virginia Madsen, Bill Engvall, Billy Zane, Morgan Spurlock and John Schaech.


THE PHOENIX FILM SOCIETY

In 2004, the Phoenix Film Society, a community group dedicated to supporting the Phoenix Film Foundation and independent film in the Valley of the Sun, was created by the non-profit Foundation. At the heart of the Phoenix Film Society is a monthly screening series at Harkins Theatres, hosted by Arizona Republic Film Critic Bill Goodykoontz and other film professionals. The screenings focus on upcoming independent and Hollywood releases.

The Phoenix Film Society offers audiences a chance to see new films and discuss them with a renowned film authority. Films have included:

DEFIANCE
SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE
THE WRESTLER
DOUBT
PAN’S LABYRINTH
ONCE
THE SAVAGES
SIDEWAYS
THE DEPARTED
UNITED 93
CRASH
CINDERELLA MAN
SYRIANA
THE MATADOR
A PRAIRIE HOME COMPANION
THE ILLUSIONIST
LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE
THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA
MILLION DOLLAR BABY

Annual memberships in the Phoenix Film Society run from $99 - $450, with household discounts for additional members. All members of the Phoenix Film Society receive a free ticket to the Phoenix Film Society Screening Series with Reserved Seating.

Prior to each screening, notices are not only sent out to members, but information is sent out to 10,000 other film-goers. The Society now has over 425 members and continues to grow monthly thanks to great word of mouth from current members.


THE INTERNATIONAL HORROR & SCI-FI FILM FESTIVAL

OCTOBER 15 to OCTOBER 18, 2009

The inaugural International Horror and Sci-Fi Film Festival was held in October of 2005 with over 3,000 attendees. In October of 2008 the festival completed its fourth year and was a huge success with attendance improving to 4,000.

During the inaugural three day event in 2005 some of the finest in independent horror and sci-fi films were screened along with showcase films from major film studios. Among the highlights were the inductions of film directors Tobe Hooper (Texas Chainsaw Massacre) and Lloyd Kaufman (Toxic Avenger) into the International Horror and Sci-Fi Hall of Fame. Also receiving honors was actor Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca of the Star Wars films).

Since then the Festival has featured guests Mick Garris (creator of Masters of Horror), Heather Langenkamp (Nightmare on Elm St), P.J. Soles (Halloween), Ken Foree (Dawn of the Dead), Linda Blair (The Exorcist), Jeffrey Combs (ReAnimator) and Adrienne King (Friday the 13th).

The Festival enters it’s 5th year in 2009 and looks to continue to raise it’s profile as a genre fest. Fans and filmmakers have marveled at the quality of the festival and have instantly placed it among some of the best genre fests in the country.


ARIZONA STUDENT FILM FESTIVAL

JANUARY 16, 2010

In 2006, the Phoenix Film Foundation added another film festival to its organization. The Arizona Student Film Festival was introduced at the 2006 Phoenix Film Festival with a screening of short films exclusively from Arizona students. The festival was very successful with over 50 entrants and two sold out screenings.

In February of 2007, The Arizona Student Film Festival became a stand-alone event. The day-long festival featured the screening of films from Arizona students with an anti-tobacco PSA competition throughout the day.

The Arizona Student Film Festival not only provides a platform for students to screen their films but will also assist them in creating their films. Educational Seminars are held in the fall to guide students through the filmmaking process. Day-long seminars are held on pre-production, production and post-production. This seminar series provides students with the guidance to complete their films and submit them to the Arizona Student Film Festival.

The festival features films from students throughout Arizona. In 2009 there were over 100 entries from over 40 schools and we anticipate that number to continue to grow. The festival showcases films from three divisions of students; grades 3-6, 7-8 and 9-12. The categories of films include Microshorts which are films of one to three minutes in length, and Shorts that are four to ten minutes in length. In addition, there is a 30 second Public Service Announcement (PSA) Competition.

Prizes for the best film in each age group have included a video camera and camera kit. This gives the students and schools another resource to make future films. This annual event has been a key to the growth of student filmmakers throughout the state of Arizona.