Overview
Organization
The Foundation is organized as a non-profit, Washington, DC-based corporation. The IRS granted 501 (c)(3) status in 2009 as a public charity with an educational mission. It is strictly non-partisan, non-ideological and is not affiliated with any political party, cause, or movement.
Governance
The Foundation is governed by a three-member Board of Directors with support from an outside Board of Advisors. The Directors and Advisors are listed on the Leadership Page.
The Advisors do not have a management role but provide time and resources according to their particular interests and background.
Volunteers
As with many non-profit organizations, the Foundation depends upon contributions from friends and supporters of our Mission. Our educational objectives cover a broad area of artistry and creativity from the worlds of cinema and film-making. We blend these with a focus on political themes. If you are curious or would like to become involved with our initiatives, you are welcome to join us. Click the 'VOLUNTEER' image below.
Legal
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Primary legal support is provided by the law firm of Bass, Berry & Sims and its attorneys in Nashville, TN and Washington, DC. Primary point of contact for the firm's work on behalf of the Foundation is Mr. Bob Cooper. Mr. Cooper is based in the firm's Nashville, TN office. Mr. Cooper is the former Attorney General of Tennessee.
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More information is available at: https://www.bassberry.com/
History
In its formative years the Foundation organized film festivals in Washington, DC, adopting Politics on Film as the overarching title and description of the Foundation's focus.
The Foundation mounted successful festivals in 2009, 2010, and 2011. Although feature films were included, the festivals were heavily weighted toward the presentation of documentaries. Entries were submitted from around the world, were judged by panels of experts and volunteers, and winners were recognized in various categories at the conclusion of each festival.
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A new Mission Statement was adopted by the Board of Directors in 2017 which reoriented the Foundation to provide a broader platform for thoughtful discourse about political issues with a primary focus on feature films.
Original logo of the Politics on Film festivals
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Politics on Film - our current logo
Organizing Principles
The primary Mission of the Foundation is to advance the cause of thoughtful political discourse through the medium of film.
It strives to advance the cause of learning through dialogue, education and analysis; to tackle challenging ideas and difficult issues, but to do so in a respectful way with one's peers; to introduce young people to impactful films that have helped to memorialize and influence American history; impacted and reflected civil society; and contributed to a shared political and cultural dynamic as citizens of a democratic republic.
Film Overview
Symposia, Seminars & Presentations
Colleges & Universities
Academic settings at leading colleges and universities have a unique convening capability. They bring together students, faculty experts, and the local citizenry who reside near centers of learning. The Foundation will work with educators, administrators and students throughout the United States to develop special, on-campus symposia of political films throughout each academic year.
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Films may be organized around a particular issue or more broadly focused on mass movements and historical epochs. Each film has something important or useful to teach about the environment in which it was made and the objectives of the film-makers who created it. This premise will lead to an examination of the relevance of the film to current political events and ideals. Analysis will be provided by faculty and subject matter experts representing the sponsoring institution and the Foundation.
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These experts will represent various disciplines, including the fields of entertainment and the creative arts, government and politics, the news media, business and labor, and academicians from throughout the United States.
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A discussion of each film is intended to be an open dialogue with the audience. This dialogue is meant to further and deepen an understanding of how films are created - from initial concept, through production, and on to final distribution - and the issues presented by each film.
Conventions & Conferences
The Foundation is also interested in working with organizations that express an interest in the broad topic of politics on film through presentations at conventions, conferences, and seminars where matters of specific interest to that organization's leadership and members can be further explored through the medium of film.
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The organizations may represent professional trade associations, charitable and philanthropic entities, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), service clubs, etc.
Notes on our Activities
The Foundation uses video, films, movie trailers, clips, images, audio, sound, music, text and compositions at film screenings and presentations on films and political issues, as well as on our website and our informational material. Where any of these are used, the Foundation either owns the copyright, has received permission for use from the copyright holder(s) or their agent, has purchased a license for their use, or the usage falls within the protection afforded by the fair use exception of federal copyright law.
"Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 106 and 106A, the
fair use of a copyrighted work ... for purposes such as criticism,
comment, news reporting, teaching (including multiple copies for classroom use), scholarship, or research, is not an infringement
of copyright." Source: 17 U.S.C. Section 107
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See also, Kelly v. Ariba Soft Corp. (9th Cir. 2002); Perfect 10, Inc. v. Amazon.com
(9th Cir. 2007); Lenz v. Universal Music Corp., 801 F.3d 1126 (9th Cir. 2015)
Stock images and video footage have been licensed through the following:
Adobe, Shutterstock, Envato, Pond5, and Wix