Through diverse and professional choices of screenings, events, sponsored projects and levels of support, the Film Society’s mission is linked to the causes addressed in the films we choose to work with and champion. The Film Society curates, educates and selects films for fiscal sponsorship based on a variety of criteria, but how can a film’s exhibition amount to more than just a one-time exposure and become a platform for discourse on a subject of social or cultural significance? And how does the Film Society’s choice to become a project’s fiscal sponsor affect the project’s development towards its intended audience(s) and ultimately change minds or shift behavior?

In an attempt to answer some of these important questions, the Film Society is currently undertaking a comprehensive evaluation of its record as an exhibitor and funder of cause-oriented films, in order to be in a better position to inspire the production of films of social and cultural importance, to generate new and larger audiences, and to encourage discourse and action on a local, national and international scale.

To that end, the Film Society has reviewed every film exhibited in the past five years and every film in our Fiscal Sponsorship program to identify all the related causes, as reflected in the list to the right. Please click on a cause to see those films and projects we have identified, and related impacts information. At the bottom of each page there is a list of resources/links related to that particular cause.