Alliance for Independent Motion Media

AIMM Activities

The purpose of AIMM is to create new opportunities for collaboration, cross-sector dialogue and to help promote and advance a vibrant media industry in Massachusetts. In collaboration with the Massachusetts Production Coalition, we’re taking the lead in creating a strong and flexible consortium of both commercial and non-commercial media makers, distributors, funders, businesses and organizations.

Through our activities and partnerships, we empower and position the state’s motion media industry, help develop a skilled, marketable media workforce, and connect makers to new audiences, markets, and resources.

Since January 2005, we have made significant headway in five strategic areas:

Research
Policy development and advocacy
Investment in incubator activities
Skills training, new knowledge cultivation, and networking opportunities
Marketing

Research

We formed a seven-member Research Committee, including non-AIMM experts, to support the creation of an economic impact study of the Massachusetts film production sector. To compile the report, we reviewed research studies from other cities, considered methodologies, collected data and participation agreements from 300 Massachusetts businesses and industry professionals, and surveyed 240 independent filmmakers. We also worked collaboratively with diverse research entities, including the Boston Redevelopment Authority.

Be sure to read or download the report from this site.

Policy Development & Advocacy

Several AIMM partners are founding members of the Massachusetts Production Coalition (MPC), an organization of leading producers, production companies, suppliers, independent practitioners, media arts organizations and talent and crew unions. The MPC is an entirely separate, fast-growing membership organization with 50-plus dues-paying members. MPC promotes and develops film, video, and multimedia production in Massachusetts, and engages in advocacy efforts. Coordinated MPC, legislative, and industry efforts have already yielded success in the creation of film production tax incentive legislation in Massachusetts, enacted in early 2006.

Check our website later in the year for cutting-edge information on how these important new tax credits will affect independent filmmakers, studio features, and commercial producers as the state determines the tax incentive protocols.

Incubator Activities

AIMM partners are involved in numerous activities to cultivate filmmakers and support their work. WGBH Boston Media Productions’ Filmmaker-in-Residence program offers a stipend, office and supplies, and filmmaker mentors at WGBH to three filmmakers in production on independent films during six-month residencies.

The Color of Film Collaborative provides production mini-grants to filmmakers of color working in diverse forms—feature, documentary, and short film. Central Productions has set up production models for narrative productions and, in collaboration with Grub Street Writers, Inc., offers monthly scriptwriting salons at the Coolidge Corner Theatre.

Skills Training, New Knowledge & Networking

AIMM is dedicated to offering professional development and networking opportunities to both emerging and experienced filmmakers. The Center for Independent Documentary holds monthly Filmmakers Workshops at the Bernard Toale Gallery in Boston’s South End. The workshops offer rough cut screenings, seminars on relevant topics, and special industry guests. The Boston Filmmakers Expo, first held in June 2005 at Northeastern University, boasted more than 400 visitors, 16 topical industry panels, trade show vendors, a keynote by Geralyn Dreyfous, Executive Producer of the Academy Award-winning documentary, “Born into Brothels”, and teams of volunteers. Other highlights of the Expo included Paula Silver’s (“My Big Fat Greek Wedding”) session on marketing feature films, Fernanda Rossi’s—the “Doc Doctor—workshop on fundraising trailers, a pitch by four local documentary filmmakers to a panel representing PBS, TV Ontario, IFP New York, and the Hamptons Film Festival, and a proposal-writing seminar packed with industry experts.

Promotions & Marketing

AIMM launched our website, established an AIMM logo, created an AIMM listserv, and created a joint database to be used by AIMM partners and collaborators, which we use to stay connected to the filmmaking community throughout the year. Be sure to sign our mailing list before you leave the site if you are not already on it.