About OIF
A home for Creatives
The Organization of Independent Filmmakers (OIF) is a collaborative Film Community that celebrates emergent independent filmmakers, talent, and crew. Our mission is to provide a one-of-a-kind platform that welcomes developing talent and crew members into the world of filmmaking.
From just-starting-out actors and undiscovered directors, writers cinematographers, editors, and more, to veterans in the industry; OIF brings together like-minded people for the purpose of elevating their level of experience, hone their craft and showcasing their talents.
By holding periodic script-to-screen Challenges, where peers join together in independent production teams to produce a finished film, OIF is a microcosm and incubator for the next generation of names in the industry.
Being an open community, one can join just to have fun, or dig in to expand their professional horizons.
Those that seriously commit and take advantage of all which OIF offers, will have the opportunity to make important connections that can help propel their careers forward.
For many of the more active members, OIF has become their “film family”.
FAQs
Founded in 2016, OIF (Organization of Independent Filmmakers), is a collaborative organization consisting of film professionals and enthusiasts with common interests. OIF has become a grass-roots catalyst to incentivize participation and help grow careers in the film industry. Many mistake OIF as a Film Festival, which it is NOT. OIF was started by a couple who wanted to learn more about filmmaking. They posted a Craigs List ad to see if anyone else would like to join them on their journey of discovery. Five people joined in. From there, the growth has been exponential.
Today, OIF numbers over 12,000 members, with Chapters in various cities. OIF continues to provide opportunities for local filmmakers, crew, and talent; to connect, gain hands-on experience, build their portfolio and IMDb credits, grow, and showcase their productions theatrically.
The main programs offered by OIF is a series of script-to-screen film challenges, held throughout the year. Selected films are showcased on the big screen. The premiere screenings at a commercial theater are followed by a Red Carpet Awards Ceremony. Networking parties are also held so that connections between cast, crew and production leads can be made face to face.
For early enthusiasts, OIF facilitates entry into the field of filmmaking by facilitating and promoting active engagement in independent productions. OIF offers a platform for film crew and talent to network, collaborate and hone their skills; Members can gain experience and add to their knowledge base. OIF also promotes the growth of the Florida Independent Film community in general. Since then, OIF has grown to screen hundreds of local films at commercial theaters, with thousands having attended .
Whether you are a beginner interested in learning more about making a film or are a veteran in the industry wishing to network with crew and cast members, you’ll find being a member in the OIF family pays off.
The Central Florida screenings and awards galas have been held at various venues, including Universal Studios, the Orlando Museum of Art, Disney Springs (AMC Theater), the iconic Wayne Densch Theater in Sanford, AMC Altamonte Springs, Full Sail University, and elsewhere.
If you would enjoy a chance to participate in local productions, meetings, or events, start now by joining a private local Facebook group! This is also where you can stay up to date with most of our activities.
We screen our Facebook group applicants, please state the locality you are in when applying. General membership is FREE, active participation is encouraged.
At this time, Challenges are limited to participants in the Central Florida area (Orlando and Tampa), Metro New York City, and soon, Metro Los Angeles.
Most of our communications related to these challenges take place in our local private Facebook groups, which are open to people residing in the same geographic area. Anyone with any film industry skill level, from none to expert is welcome. You must reside within 50 miles of a Chapter location:
If you are local to these cities, please visit the respective FB to join our collaborative film organization and set yourself up to advance in a career in film!
Feel Free to visit any of our Chapters by using the navigation link at the top.
OIF produces periodic script-to-screen challenges, currently about two per year per regional market area. The current areas served are the Greater Orlando Region, Greater Tampa Region and New York City Area.
Writers can submit a script designated short film genres. Scripts are reviewed for content, adherence to the genre and other factors. After a quick review, the selected scripts are posted.
Now the film part of the challenge begins. A production lead (either the writer or someone they work with) selects cast and crew, mostly from within the group, or by bringing in new members. Locations, shooting schedules, etc. are prepared. After shooting the film it goes to Post-production.
The final film is submitted by the deadline to qualify for awards. A panel of judges will score each film in 13 categories for each genre. Winners are presented an OIF crystal award at the ceremony following the screenings.
Independent production teams are formed, mostly by networking with other members, to produce a short film. Writers, directors, producers, actors, cinematographers, audio recordists, composers, artists, editors, make-up artists and many others come together to complete a film. The Challenge culminates in a screening at a large commercial theater, which is followed by an elegant awards ceremony. A networking party and an after-party are usually part of the mix as well; allowing for even more connections to be created.
OIF is a platform where anyone can jump-start their film careers and participate in a large film network that can advance their careers going forward. One of the ways we accomplish this is by conducting Film Challenges. This platform has proven to be very effective in the personal growth and advancement of our members. General membership is free, as are most of our programs.
The hands-on experience gained by participating in these productions and working with others is invaluable. Participants learn how to work with multiple sets of crew and talent and are then able to exchange ideas and expertise. Most of the Challenge Productions will provide film credits to the participants which they are able to add to their resumés and portfolios. The connections made by participating in these can lead to long-lasting relationships that can help film industry careers advance rapidly.
Challenge Participants also vie for awards. A panel of external judges votes on 13 categories in each genre of the Challenge. At this time, the Orlando Branch has 3 genres per Challenge, the Tampa, New York, and Los Angeles branches have one genre per Challenge.
At the end of each year, or early the following year, an Annual Awards Ceremony is held, along with a Networking Party. Here the Best of the Best Short Films of the Year, as well as the Best Actor and Best Actress of the year are given awards. These awards recognize the progress, and efforts these talented OIF members have achieved during the year. At some point, we hope to accompany the annual awards with cash prizes as well.
For the first few years since its inception, the community and its events were entirely funded by the founders; who had built a strong passion for the community. They had also established strong bonds with many of its members. The founders have helping many with Letters of Recommendation to help their careers; connecting specific people with other so they could get work; holding free workshops to expand member’s expertise, and much more. Later, as the group’s and the expenses’ growth followed the exponential growth of the community, they began collecting admission fees for the events so they could keep the group going. Although these fees help, most of the time, they are not enough to cover all the expenses. Sponsorships and ads, when available, currently help cover more of the expenses.
Looking ahead, as the community expands beyond its original geographical limits, The founders will seek to increase income so that the group actually generates a positive cash flow. This effort is to entice others to join and manage other local OIF communities. It would be too much for the founders to manage several other regions going forward; so they are exploring new partnerships and new ways to generate funding to keep the community thriving.
If you are interested in collaborating to help grow this community, feel free to drop the admins a note via our contact form.