Phillyfests.com - Official Site of the Philadelphia Film Society

Formed in 2001, The Philadelphia Film Society is dedicated to the presentation of film and video in the Greater Philadelphia area as a powerful form of artistic expression and a unique force for cultural diversity and international understanding. Its mission is to engage the diverse communities of the region by producing major film events and other year-round programming. Among its most prominent activities are:

PHILADELPHIA FILM FESTIVAL
Held for two weeks in April, the Festival brings the world's imagination to Philadelphia with screenings of nearly 300 features, documentaries, shorts and animation from 50 countries for an audience of 61,000. Among its thematic highlights are "Cinema of the Muslim Worlds", which in 2003 was covered by the Wall Street Journal; "Danger After Dark," an internationally-renowned celebration of genre films; and the annual Festival of Independents, a regional filmmaking showcase.

PHILADELPHIA INTERNATIONAL GAY & LESBIAN FILM FESTIVAL

Founded in 1995 by TLA Entertainment Group, the Festival presents a "rainbow" of GLBT film and video images from around the world. The festival screens as many as 200 features, documentaries and shorts, and attracts an attendance of over 25,000, making it the largest gay and lesbian film festival in the Eastern U.S.

Board of Directors Includes:
Herb Lipton (PFS Chair & Treasurer), Claire Brown Kohler (PFS President), Ruth Perlmutter (PFS Secretary), Thom Cardwell, Jack Adler, Laurada Byers, Ali Castellini, Elizabeth Caulk, Peter Dachowski, Tobey Gordon Dichter, John Herzins, Ralph Hirshorn, Sue Laks, Raymond Murray, Jim Ounsworth, Sulaiman Rahman, Judy Pote, Allen Sabinson, Michael Sanyour, Jonathan Spadaford.

Advisory Board:
Joel Assouline, Jane Saul, Oliver Franklin, Roger LaMay, Joe Barber, Mary Patel, Ed Hanlon, Sharon Pinkenson, Lisa Cortes, Mickey Rowley, Andrew Toy, Paula Moritz, CFP J. P. Cummins, Madeline Deheza Hofer, Mike Lemon.

Legal Counsel:
Tony Chan, Dechert LLP and Hal Borden, Dechert LLP.

Honorary Board:
John Waters (Director), Michael Childers (Photographer), Steven Wolfe (Producer), Jennifer Tilly (Actor), Steve Guttenberg (Actor & Director), Lee Daniels (Producer & Director), Bruce Vilanch (Writer), Susan Sidelman (Director).

The Philadelphia Film Society would like to recognize the following foundations & supporters:

City of Philadelphia/Department of Commerce, Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development/Pennsylvania Film Office, Samuel S. Fels Fund, Philadelphia Cultural Fund, Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance, 5-County Arts Fund, Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, the Dolfinger-McMahon Foundation and the Puffin Foundation.

The Philadelphia Film Society is a non-profit tax-exempt 501 (c) (3) organization registered with the State of Pennsylvania. It relies on the generous support of government agencies, corporations and businesses foundations and individuals to fulfill its mission. Donations to the Film Society are tax-deductible.