The logo for the New Orleans Film Society. Photo provided by the same.
The New Orleans Film Society has a self-proclaimed mission to “engage, educate, and inspire through the art of film.” The New Orleans Film Society was founded in 1989 and has since grown into a major showcase of local, regional, national, and international films (“About us”. New Orleans Film Society. http://neworleansfilmsociety.org/pages/detail/23/about-us).
Each fall, the New Orleans Film Society holds an annual Film Festival. They also host multiple special events throughout the year such as the French Film Festival, Film-o-Rama, and the New Orleans International Children’s Film Festival. In addition, they partner with local organizations to present a monthly film series. All of these events are done with the interest of the audiences, artists, and professionals in mind. In April of 2012, MovieMaker Magazine named NOFF one of the “Top 25 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee.” Also in 2012, NOFF received their most submissions ever (1,250 films). This was a 40% increase from 2011 (“About us”. New Orleans Film Society. http://neworleansfilmsociety.org/pages/detail/23/about-us). The President of NOFF is Jolene Pinder. She organizes these festivals, movie screenings, Q&A sessions with directors, etc. in order to bring attention to the local New Orleans film scene. In order to raise money for “Money to Geaux,” which buys inflatable movie screens, projectors, and audio equipment, NOFF recently launched an online campaign (“New Orleans Film Society”, NOLA.com, http://www.nola.com/movies/index.ssf/2012/03/new_orleans_film_society_aims.html).
NOFF reaches approximately 20,000 people while bringing together the New Orleans community (“About us”. New Orleans Film Society. http://neworleansfilmsociety.org/pages/detail/23/about-us). Each event is designed to benefit the local community by reviving the film culture and creating an atmosphere for everyone to enjoy. Lately, NOFF has focused on a revival of the French culture that was once so prevalent in New Orleans history (“New Orleans Film Society president Jolene Pinder shares a few of her favorite things”, NOLA.com, http://www.nola.com/fashion/index.ssf/2012/08/new_orleans_film_society_presi.html). Louisiana offers a unique incentive for filmmakers with a 30% tax credit on production, as well as a 5% tax credit for payroll expenditures (“Tax Incentives”, Film New Orleans, http://www.filmneworleans.org/for-filmmakers/tax-incentives). This incentive helps to boost the economy by drawing in big productions that need to utilize the land, people, and other resources that New Orleans has to offer.
The New Orleans Film Society also works to honor outstanding individuals involved in Louisiana-based film production. Every year the society awards the Celluloid Hero Award to someone in the New Orleans film production or distribution industry who has contributed greatly to bettering the local film culture. Past honorees include actor John Goodman, one of the stars of Treme, and Beasts of the Southern Wild director Benh Zeitlin. Rene Brunet, who operates the renowned Prytania Theater, has also been honored as well as filmmaker Harry Shearer. By heralding those who work to bolster the Louisiana film industry, the New Orleans Film Society aims to promote appreciation for the unique artistry that is synonymous with the local film culture (The Times-Picayune (New Orleans). “‘Beasts of the Southern Wild’ director Benh Zeitlin to receive New Orleans Film Society’s Celluloid Hero award” September 4, 2012).
However, film and television production that centers on New Orleans and Louisiana is not without controversy. After Hurricane Katrina, the portrayal of New Orleans in the entertainment industry has become an increasingly contentious issue. Thus, while productions such as Treme allow the viewer to experience a tourist-like portrayal of New Orleans music, locations and Post-Katrina life that aims to be as realistic as possible, some have pointed to the struggle to maintain a balance between media as a form of tourism and exploitation of real people’s struggles. Consequently, while film and television production in the state is a celebrated and deeply ingrained as a part of the region’s culture , it is also the subject of continuing debate regarding its role in bolstering tourism and local economy (Thomas, Lynnell L. “People Want to See What Happened”: Treme, Televisual Tourism, and the Racial Remapping of Post-Katrina New Orleans).
1. NOVAC– New Orleans Video Access Center (http://novacvideo.org)
2. Robinson Film Center (http://www.robinsonfilmcenter.org)
3. Film New Orleans (http://www.filmneworleans.org)
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