The San Francisco Film Society now offers a full suite of filmmaker services programs and activities designed to foster creativity and further the careers of independent filmmakers. The Film Society has launched these programs after signing an agreement with Film Arts Foundation, effectively assuming the stewardship of activities provided by Film Arts over its 32-year history.

SFFS Filmmaker Services are made possible in part by a generous grant from The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation.

Fiscal Sponsorship
The Film Society has launched a full-service FS department, staffed by experienced former Film Arts personnel. SFFS will assume the oversight and management of all active projects formerly on FAF rolls, under the existing terms of the former FAF contracts, and will devote considerable resources to the active professional development of FS filmmakers and projects. More.

Grants and Prizes
The Film Society awards filmmaking grants and cash prizes to innovative and exceptional films, with specific monies set aside exclusively for Bay Area filmmakers. The total amount of money to be awarded between July 2008 and June 2009 will exceed $120,000. More.

Classes
In partnership with Film Arts, the Film Society will offer 12–15 classes per session on a triquarterly basis, beginning October 2008. These classes will run the gamut from video and editing basics, through writing, directing and producing as well as financing, budgeting, legal needs and grantwriting to marketing, publicity and exhibition, as well as film appreciation and more. Classes will be held at the San Francisco Film Centre in the Presidio, at the Ninth Street Independent Film Center and other locations. Online courses will also be offered as a complement to on-site classes. More.

FilmHouse Residencies
In an innovative partnership with the San Francisco Film Commission, the Film Society is making 2,800 square feet of production-office space available free of charge to independent filmmakers actively engaged in film production in the San Francisco Bay Area. More.

Publications
SF360.org, SFFS’s daily online magazine, now includes In Production articles, an Indie Toolkit section for filmmaking nuts and bolts, and an Opportunities section with calls for entry, available grants, contests, conferences andresidencies. A monthly Filmmakers eBulletin is planned for publication this fall; and a bimonthly print publication, mailed free to members, with features on all aspects of film culture, Bay Area news and notes, and a calendar of SFFS events, for early 2009. More.

Events
We intend to function as a coalition and community builder offering advice, experience, referrals, networking, mentoring and professional counsel across a range of areas and a variety of means, including regular monthly networking events. More.

Advisory Board
With significant input from the FAF board, SFFS will, with a specific eye on diversity and inclusivity, constitute a Filmmaker Services Advisory Board of 15–20 Bay Area film professionals. More.