About CSIF

In 1978, twelve local filmmakers and artists collaborated to form the Calgary Society of Independent Filmmakers in response to a growing interest in film production and need for equipment and resources. The CSIF was created as a direct result of an initiative by the Canada Council to establish a more effective means of distributing arts funding to film artists throughout the country. Throughout the late 1970’s and early 1980’s funding was established through the Canada Council, the Alberta Foundation for the Arts and the Calgary Region Art Foundation to provide the equipment and resources for independent filmmakers in Calgary. Memberships grew as did interest in learning the techniques of 8 mm and 16 mm filmmaking so workshops were introduced to increase the skill level of members. It was also in the early 1990’s that two important aspects of CSIF’s current activities were established: distributing National Film Board production funding for local film projects, and exhibition of indigenous film through the creation of The $100 Film Festival in 1991.