AMERICAN INDIAN FILM INSTITUTE (AIFI)

The story of the American Indian Film Institute (AIFI) is filled with the recurrent theme of an unwavering determination to educate and inspire native peoples and audiences through innovative cinematic accomplishment. Across more than three decades, AIFI has evolved from an initially small, annual film festival into a multi-faceted program that includes historical preservation, youth-oriented training programs and the advocacy for positive connections between American Indians, media, general public and educational centers spanning the earth.

The American Indian Film Institute (AIFI) is a 501-c-3 media arts organization founded and incorporated 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.
The mission of the American Indian Film Institute is to foster understanding and appreciation of the culture, traditions, and issues of contemporary Native Americans by encouraging Indian and non-Indian 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 new film-works; and, to advocate tirelessly for authentic representations of Indians in the media. Underlying all of these activities is a mandate to use the stature and human resources of AIFI to expand career opportunities and financing for Indian filmmakers.

Each year, AIFI provides the expert means for over 100 USA American Indian and Canada First Nation stories (films) to be told and viewed on the ‘silver screen’ in San Francisco. Our completely unique languages and cultural issues are shared with those who might never have otherwise shared such an experience. These efforts further encourage progress in civility, education, sovereignty, treaty obligation wins, and native people’s rights while continuing to preserve our very rich and distinct heritage.
The current economic climate has added a new urgency to our mission of promoting a consistent native presence in media. While AIFI sees ever-increasing possibilities, the reality is that many now struggle just to survive. AIFI’s need, therefore, has increased to serve more individuals as a stepping-stone for their personal, economic and tribal advancement for generations to come.
We invite American Indian and First Nation tribes, motion picture industry, media, and corporate entities to join the launch of the American Indian Film Festival’s 36th Anniversary. The Film Festival is a significant and enduring element of the American Indian Film Institute’s mission to positively reform the film industry’s image of Native people, and in the process, empower Indian media-makers. The American Indian Film Festival provides an opportunity for filmmakers, tribes, media and public audiences to come together and share in the creative experience and celebrate cinematic accomplishment.
During the 9-day Film Festival, to be presented November 4-12, 2011 in San Francisco, nearly 6,000 participants will witness Native stories and visual testaments to contemporary lives and issues. Through skillful artistry and personal testimony, the films we screen raise awareness about contemporary issues in Indian Country. Our greatest power continues to lie in our ability to tell our own stories in our own words and images.

The American Indian Film Festival® chronicles our integrity as peoples, artists and activists. Founded in 1975, the American Indian Film Festival® is the oldest and most prestigious festival of its kind in the world. It is a unique and genuinely a Native American media presentation—founded and produced by American Indian people. The Festival takes great pride in showcasing documentaries and feature films that come from the heart of Indian Country, enabling us to support the work of current, new and emerging Native American filmmakers. For many, the Film Festival is an important stepping-stone to other Native theme festivals, theatrical venues, or additional media opportunities.

Combining education with celebration, the American Indian Film Festival brings the rich cultural heritage and diversity of our nation’s first peoples into a forum where it can be shared via the magic of the silver screen and the power of good storytelling. The Festival is the focal point of our year-round exhibition program, which has as its core objectives: improving and expanding the distribution of films by and about American Indians; developing a marketplace for Indian media & performing artists to cultivate potential financial resources; creating production and distribution outlets, as part of a network of technical support and resource-sharing among Indian producers, directors, writers, and actors/actresses.

Our relationship with both Native and non-Native audiences is predicated on the central and restorative role that the arts have always played in Indian life: storytelling, songs, dances, paintings and crafts are all viewed in the Indian tradition as medicine. To these traditional art forms, AIFI has added the media arts.
AIFI’s target communities are: American Indian artists and audiences, as we work to nurture cultural traditions that have survived against tremendous odds. Our annual film festival instills and reinforces pride and a sense of an Indian filmmaking community, and supports media literacy to native youth and families; AIFI outreaches media, educators, scholars, community activists, public policymakers, industry professionals and others whose involvement is critical to the long-term health and viability of Indian Media; and importantly, the public audiences who support and participate and represents our decades long outreach to people and communities of color: black, white, yellow and red.

We would be honored to welcome your tribe, corporation, or media outlet as a partner in the 36th anniversary of the American Indian Film Festival and thank you in advance for your participation in the growth of this most important venture.

Sincerely,
Michael Smith
Founder/Director
American Indian Film Festival
mls@aifisf.com

2011 Sponsorship Opportunity Levels

TITLE SPONSOR(s) $50,000 Sponsor

• Tribal or Company Name in Title of Event: “American Indian Film Institute and Your Name Present the 36th Anniversary of American Indian Film Festival®”
• Tribal or Company Name in all Press Releases
• Two Full Page Color Ads in Official Program Guide with Prominent Placements
• Logo on Posters, Banners, T-Shirts, and possible Additional Media Distributions
• Logo on Website with Link to Your Website
• On Screen Logo at the Film Festival and On Stage
• 25 T-Shirts and 20 Festival Posters
• Site Product and Materials Placement at Selected Hosted Festival Events
• Introductory Remarks by Your Spokesperson at the Opening Night, Reception, and Awards Presentation
• Co-Presenter of Best Film and Director Awards at Awards Presentation
• Interview of Spokesperson to be Included in Film Festival DVD, to be Distributed on the Internet, to Future Sponsors, and to Other Contacts within the Film Industry
• 25 Complimentary Badges Providing Admission to All Events, Screenings, Workshops, Receptions, and Awards Presentation.
• Year Round Recognition of Title Sponsorship to Future Festival Invitations and Networking Events

• Tribal or Company Name in all Press Releases
• Full Page Color Ad in Official Program Guide with Premium Position
• Logo on Posters and Banners, and possible Additional Media Distributions
• Logo on Website
• On Screen Logo at the Film Festival
• 15 T-Shirts and 15 Festival Posters
• Opportunity to Be a Co-Presenter of Best Actor and Actress at Awards Presentation
• Interview of Spokesperson to be Included in Film Festival DVD to be Distributed on the Internet, to Future Sponsors, and to Other Contacts within the Film Industry
• 15 Complimentary Badges Providing Admission to All Events, Screenings, Workshops, Receptions, and Awards Presentation.

• Tribal or Company Name in all Press Releases
• Full Page Color Ad in Official Program Guide, 2nd Premium Position
• Logo on Posters and Banners, and possible Additional Media Distributions
• Logo on Website
• On Screen Logo at the Film Festival
• 12 T-Shirts and 12 Festival Posters
• Opportunity to Be a Co-Presenter of Documentary Feature and Documentary Short at Awards Presentation
• Interview of Spokesperson to be Included in Film Festival DVD to be Distributed on the Internet, to Future Sponsors, and to Other Contacts within the Film Industry
• 12 Complimentary Badges Providing Admission to All Events, Screenings, Workshops, Receptions, and Awards Presentation.

• Tribal or Company Name in all Press Releases
• Full Page Color Ad in Official Program Guide
• Logo on Website
• On Screen Logo at the Film Festival
• 5 T-Shirts and 5 Festival Posters
• Interview of Spokesperson to be Included in Film Festival DVD to be Distributed on the Internet, to Future Sponsors, and to Other Contacts within the Film Industry
• 5 Complimentary Badges Providing Admission to All Events, Screenings, Workshops, Receptions, and Awards Presentation.

NOTE: AIFI is a 501c-3 tax deductible organization. F.I.N. 95-3646346

2011 Sponsorship Inquiries: American Indian Film Institute -
333 Valencia Street, Suite 322, San Francisco, CA 94103
415-554-0525 ph • mls@aifisf.com