The Liaison of Independent Filmmakers of Toronto (LIFT)

LIFT is a not-for-profit, artist-run film centre which supports and encourages independent filmmaking through the exchange of information and access to equipment and facilities. Membership is open to anyone interested in the centre and its activities.

**While their website does not explicitly mention their work with youth, they at times partner with other groups to put on youth focused video production workshops**

• Local

• Paid membership is open to independent filmmakers. There is no specific age specific demographic that they serve, but they do lead youth-focused video production workshops through other groups such as METRAC.

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• LIFT is a member-driven non-profit organization that provides affordable access to equipment, education and space for those who want to make films, out of a passion for, and commitment to, the practice of filmmaking on celluloid.
• LIFT has a market niche as Canada’s foremost artist run centre for independent filmmakers wishing to create films on celluloid. It is a custodian of equipment and specialized knowledge of that medium. 
• Diversity in all its manifestations, including race, language, gender, social class, age and level of experience as a filmmaker
•  Affordable access to services and programs that minimize economic barriers to working in film
• The materiality and technology of working with celluloid as a medium
• Serving as a community hub for filmmakers
• Providing quality service to an engaged and participatory membership

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• To ensure that emerging and established filmmakers have an opportunity to work with celluloid, LIFT offers a variety of programs (workshops, equipment rental, screenings etc) that empower filmmakers in that medium. LIFT also acknowledges the validity of other film technologies, such as digital and emerging hybrid media, and provides modest programs to filmmakers who wish to create on other media.

It’s On: Challenging Violence through Digital Video Project

The Liaison of Independent Filmmakers of Toronto (LIFT) is partnering with METRAC’s ReAct Program to initiate the It’s On: Challenging Violence through Digital Video Project in 2010 to 2011. Funded by Canada Council for the Arts, Toronto-based filmmakers will mentor youth and build their video production skills, empowering them to express opinions through artistic practices. ReAct Youth Peer Facilitators will support artists and youth participants by increasing their understanding of issues of violence and will provide a “lens” from which the youth will create their own digital videos.

LIFT and imagineNATIVE’s Mentorship Program 

• Do you have a great idea for a 5-minute short film? Explore 16mm filmmaking through LIFT’s workshops, equipment and facilities (other mediums may be employed). Shoot and edit your ideas to film, and see them on screen at the 12th Annual imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival, which will take place in Toronto from October 19–23, 2011! 

  You will be provided with a LIFT Membership, and be eligible to enroll in any film production and post- production training workshop offered during their Winter and Summer 2011 calendar. You will be paired with LIFT’s knowledgeable staff and a specially selected mentor to help you through your various development, production and post-production stages. imagineNATIVE will subsidize some additional costs related to your project, and facilitate aspects of your post-production stages.

  **Need not be a youth to apply** 

   

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