In early 2017, the Maine Film & Video Association elected a new executive committee after a long and dedicated service from former chair Dick Kane. The new chairs and board members recognized that in order to be most effective as leaders, they needed to take a step back and examine how the association can best serve its members and the greater filmmaking industry in Maine.
That spring and summer, the board undertook a strategic planning process to establish a plan and action items to this end. From this endeavor, we emerged with a new name, the Maine Film Association, and a new mission:
The Maine Film Association’s mission is to advance the art, craft, and business of filmmaking in Maine.
Our vision is to make Maine a great place to live and work as a filmmaker.
We established a 3-year strategic plan with 5 goal areas:
1. Provide professional development and skill-building opportunities for Maine filmmakers.
By 2020, we will regularly offer workshops and programs for our members, the greater Maine filmmaking community, and young people interested in the industry. We want to provide deeper learning through a certification or mentorship program, as well as better engage and develop aspiring filmmakers.
2. Foster connections across the filmmaking community in Maine.
By 2020, we want filmmakers to feel that they are part of a cohesive community, and that they can easily find resources, partnerships, and work through their network of Maine professional peers. We aim to hold monthly workshop, program, networking, or demonstration opportunities to build a strong community within the Maine film industry.
3. Promote the Maine film industry and attract more film production to the state.
We will work to help Maine filmmakers become better connected to the client base within the state, gain better visibility across the filmmaking community and with the general public, and foster a community where filmmakers work collectively to advance the industry in Maine.
4. Expand membership in the MFA to better showcase film professionals in Maine.
By 2020, we strive to have a robust membership of 200 individuals, businesses, and educational institutions that can support and advocate for the film industry in Maine.
5. Increase organizational capacity for sustainable success.
We want the MFA to be around for years to come, working to strengthen the filmmaking industry in Maine. We will be working over the next three years to establish systems and partnerships to achieve our organizational goals, as well as recruiting volunteers and board members who reflect the industry’s diversity.
Help us to achieve our goals–join the MFA as a member today!
Your membership will help support our efforts to better connect film professionals in the state, provide engaging and interesting professional development and networking opportunities, and promote the film industry in Maine. Your membership entitles you to free or discounted admission to MFA events and workshops, special offers from vendors and our business members, and opportunities to showcase your work through MFA channels.