Aware of the power of cinema to educate and transform, the Film Council of Greater Columbus’ mission is to encourage the creation of film, video, and electronic images of vision in both form and content by publicly screening these productions and awarding recognition to the both the productions and the makers of the productions.
Founded in 1950 by a group of progressive educators, the Film Council, through the Columbus International Film and Video Festival (a 6 day event in downtown Columbus), continues their legacy, honoring and screening the work of makers whose creations of vision, beauty and power help us understand the complexities of our world by using their committed artistry to touch our minds and hearts.
The CIF+VF, now in its 58th year, is the longest running film festival in the United States
The historical progressive mandate of the CIF+VF has prepared us well for the current digital revolution. The revolution might be put thusly: digital video democratizes film production, the internet destroys boundaries of distribution, and the combination of these two factors leads to radical aesthetic cross-pollination. We are witnessing a revolution on par with the first printing press in 1439. The CIF+VF will not be a witness, we will be a leader.
The CIF+VF will also continue to support professional, educational, and corporate filmmaking. That is a key part of this digital revolution-for the first time in history, every person, group, or cause has an equal voice, and these voices can and inevitably will inform each other. The result will be a new visual culture with new languages, pedagogies, thrills, and resonance.
Staff
Susan Halpern, Executive Director
(614) 444-7460
Past Festivals
main festival week screenings 2008
Chris Award winners and screeners 1953-1988
