Tell me a little bit about the West Michigan Film Video Alliance

Our Mission: To promote a thriving film and video production community in West Michigan.

Goals: 1) To develop and support the production community; 2) To attract and retain production work in West Michigan.

The West Michigan Film Video Alliance (WMFVA), a 501c3 non-profit, officially launched in January 2005, our mission to promote a thriving film and video production community in West Michigan. The aim is to generate a new creative and economic force regionally dedicated to the art and business of filmmaking and video production. We do this by providing programs, resources, networking, and support to filmmakers while promoting West Michigan as vital and influential in this industry.

How does the West Michigan Film Video Alliance meet its mission?
The WMFVA provides a number of seminars and training events for professionals and those who are interested in joining the film industry in some capacity.

The WMFVA has taken a leadership role in promoting the film industry as an alternative force for economic development. The WMFVA was called upon to testify before the Michigan House and Senate tax committees regarding the Michigan Motion Picture Incentives in support of filmmaking. The most aggressive incentives program in the nation was signed into law on April 7, 2008.

The WMFVA has supported the development of the West Michigan Film Office (WMFO) through providing funds for Film Commission training and certification. The partnership between the WMFVA and the WMFO is important to build on the new state incentives to generate production work here. The WMFVA also looks to support other community film offices to ensure that local Film Commissioners are highly skilled in meeting the needs of professional filmmakers.

The WMFVA also maintains an ongoing relationship with the Michigan Film Office. The WMFVA sponsors numerous festivals, competitions, and events, often in partnership with our members. Our board members are local professionals from the film and video production community.

For more information about the WMFVA, professional development opportunities, WM crew, WM location shots and other information, go to www.wmfva.org

Why does WMFVA sponsor Red Carpet Ready?
The WMFVA sponsors this event as the prime fund raiser to pay for guest speakers and related training expenses, support for community film commission training, and support for film festivals and member events. Why are there two Oscar ® events this year? Two similar parties on one night? It is unfortunate that the Red Carpet Ready and Waterfront Film Festival committees planned over long periods of time and released announcements at practically the same time about our events. Neither was aware of the other's plans. The two committees quickly got together to see if there was a way to collaborate on a single event but due to several complicating factors (namely the Motion Picture Academy will not permit the joint sponsorship), it became clear that we would need to press on with two separate events; the WMFVA sponsors Red Carpet Ready to raise awareness and funds for efforts to promote West Michigan's escalating film industry. The Waterfront Film Festival raises funds for one of the fastest growing and highest rated independent film festivals in the country.

The good news is that both organizations support the same concept: Michigan is the place to be making films. Both the WMFVA and the WFF support each other's efforts and have agreed that there is enough good will to go around. The excitement around a West Michigan film industry is growing and the supportive community is growing too.

The Waterfront press materials promote the fact that their event is "officially sanctioned". This is true. The WMFVA looked into being officially sanctioned when we threw the first local event. However, Oscar® will not sanction film commissions or regional film production promotion groups, though we are permitted to air the Academy Awards live.

Our hope is that you will support one group or the other with your attendance in February. They will both be quality events. It is all good for filmmaking and film viewing in West Michigan – a filmmaking community too big for less than two events!

Chuck Peterson
WMFVA Board President