American Indian Film Institute
Overview and History

History

The American Indian Film Institute (AIFI) is a non-profit media arts center founded in 1979 to foster understanding of the culture, traditions and issues of contemporary Native Americans. American Indians have had an uneasy relationship with the media industry since the origins of film over 100 years ago. The quintessential 20th century art form has created and perpetuated enduring stereotypes that are at best tedious, and at worst profoundly erosive to the self-image of generations of Native Americans. Yet the ability of this art form to weaken and erode is matched by its power to heal and strengthen. In film we find a tool to preserve and record our heritage, and a vehicle for Indians and non-Indians alike to "unlearn" damaging stereotypes and replace them with multi-dimensional images that reflect the complexity of Native peoples.

Our organization's roots stretch back to 1975 when the first American Indian Film Festival was presented in Seattle. In 1977, the festival was relocated to San Francisco, where it found its permanent home. The American Indian Film Institute was incorporated in 1979, with the late actor Will Sampson (One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest) among its founding members. Today, AIFI is the major Native American media and cultural arts presenter in California, and its festival is the world's oldest and most recognized international film exposition dedicated to Native American cinematic accomplishment.

Goals

The goals of AIFI are inherently educational: to encourage Native/non-Native filmmakers to bring to the broader media culture the Native voices, viewpoints and stories that have been historically excluded from mainstream media; to develop Indian and non-Indian audiences for this work; and to advocate tirelessly for authentic representations of Indians in the media.

Programs

American Indian Film Festival (31st Season: November 3-11, 2006)
The festival, presented at San Francisco's historic Palace of Fine Arts [since 1977] and UA Galaxy Theatres, provides an audience of nearly 5,000 an opportunity to see films by and about American Indians, including many works unavailable in the U.S. through theatres, home video, or television.

Film Library and National Distribution Initiative uses our new research library and catalogue Films of the American Indian Film Festival 1975 - 2000 as the basis of a pilot program to promote film works to educational, tribal and home markets.

Tribal Touring Program includes an outreach festival of select works from the American Indian Film Festival, and week-long digital video workshop intensives for youth. Funders have included the Community Technology Foundation of California, the John T and Catherine MacArthur Foundation, CAC Challenge Grant, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science, Robinson Rancheria, CA; Santa Rosa Rancheria, CA; Sycuan Reservation, CA; Bishop Paiute Tribe, CA; Soboba Reservation, CA; & Yakama Reservation, WA.

Organizational Governance Statement
The American Indian Film Institute was incorporated in the State of California on August 7, 1979 and classified as a tax-exempt public benefit corporation. AIFI is exempt from federal income tax under Section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code effective August 17, 1981. Federal Tax Identification No. 95-3646346.

Board of Directors

Michael Smith (Sioux)
AIFI Founder/President
San Francisco, CA

Susan Masten (Yurok)
Union Bank of California
AIFI Vice President
Klamath, CA

Lucinda Spencer (Navajo + Laguna Pueblo)
UIHB Health Care Manager
AIFI Treasurer
Oakland, CA

Jennifer Forrester (Thompson)
Inspector, SFPD
AIFI Secretary
San Francisco, CA

Michael Horse (Zuni)
Actor/Producer
AIFI Board Member
North Hollywood, CA

Anita Uqualla (Kumeyaay)
AIFI Board Member

Andrew W. Ebona (Tlingit)
Alaska Federation of Natives
NIGA-Executive Board Member
AIFI Board Member
Juneau, AK