How open is RIFC?

I'd also like to clear up the perceptions of nepotism and cronyism that frankly, given the nature of our organization, we were expecting to hear when we started back in 2003. Inspite of the fact the RIFC was created by some of the most driven, self-starting, and entrepreneurial personalities, we'd like to assure everyone that it has stayed very open and democratic in its approach to helping local filmmakers. We've collaborated and built credibility with other local filmmakers and organizations, like the RI Film and TV Office, and RIIFF, and the Artists' Exchange. No single person in our core group has any level of influence on the decisions made by the Board. Our board meetings, in fact , are painful, noisy sessions of endless debate, but we resolve them by *voting* on issues and decisions. Even our two founders can't muster up enough cronies to outscream the votes.

We'd also like to point out that with our unstructured, unfunded set up, it's impossible for us to monitor every word that goes out to the community, and we realize that sometimes those words won't adequately represent us. If you'd really like to form an opinion about us, come see us, and talk to us (we often meet in bars!!!). Our newsletters are informational tools that just capture whatever was announced at our meetings, and no one pays us, or uses any form of clout, to influence what gets covered in the newsletter. If you come to our Networking meeting (which you should) and claim we're nepotists, the newsletter will cover it.

- Broto Chakrabarti, reposted by Mike Ryan

What's this thread for?

It has been suggested that we create a blog that can serve as a forum for discussion of the what the RIFC is and what it should be - and what people think it is and should be.

This is inspired by concerns about the openness of the organization. Being an inclusive entity that is here for any local filmmakers that want to take part, is an important part of our mission and identity - corporate speak for our "raison d'etre"

At least, that's my opinion - in the interest of transparency, we want to encourage people to express their opinions here, and see how they vary, and what we should change to address any concerns.

The first post will be recent thoughts by Broto Chakrabarti.