Inverness Film Fans (InFiFa) is an independent group set up in 2003 by local film lovers who wanted to discover and share quality films from around the world with adult audiences in Inverness and the surrounding area. We now work in partnership with Eden Court Cinema where we meet for fortnightly screenings and informal post-film discussions.
You can join us, free, via the menu on the homepage. Members receive regular updates on forthcoming screenings and events, get InFiFa member's discount at the Eden Court box office for our presentations and can also borrow films (DVDs) for home viewing from our Member's library. When you join, your welcome letter will tell you how to do this.
InFiFa is run by a voluntary committee, known as the Programme Group, which meets on a monthly basis to programme regular screenings, prepare film notes, maintain our website and organise special events. If you have some time to spare and would like to get involved please contact us via the email link on this site or come and have a chat with us at the next screening!
Currently, Programme Group members are - Ann & Neil MacInnes, Tony Janssens (chair), Mark Maclennan, Sandra Bardwell , Caris Pittendreigh and Dominic Thierry. Sandra Bardwell looks after the Members' Film Library.
Film Societies and Clubs in Inverness
Inverness Film Fans (InFiFa) is now over ten years old and one of the oldest independent film societies in the Highlands. Since starting up in August 2003 with the assistance of Awards for All and the Scottish Community Foundation the group has screened films in various venues including the Florians Theatre (Bught Park), the Spectrum Centre (Farraline Park), The Screen Machine (parked at the Floral Hall during the period of Eden Court Theatre's refurbishment), Fortrose Academy and Culloden Academy.
We are now based in Eden Court's state-of the-art cinemas and are very grateful for the assistance of Eden Court's Film Programmer Paul Taylor and projectionists Jamie MacDonald and Kevin Douglas in screening our regular themed seasons. The InFiFa programming committee draws from a wide variety of world cinema, historic and contemporary, incorporating Member's Choices into our annual programme and organising special events. Special events for members have included Food & Film events at the Phoenix Bar, La Tortilla Asesina, Pazzo's and various halls and houses, silent film with live music accompaniment, guest speakers and lecturers in film studies.
InFiFa (formerly known as IFF!) continues a long tradition of independent cinema in Inverness. In the early 1970s Inverness Arts Guild Film Society screened films in the Little Theatre in Farraline Park (the building which now houses Inverness Library.) The old projector which they used had carbon rods which had to be constantly adjusted as they burned down - otherwise the film would get progressively dimmer as the show went on. A mix of old classics and new experimental films such as "Flesh" (dir. Warhol) were screened, and improvised jazz was played to accompany silent films. A joint arrangement with East Ross Film Society was also in place for a short period, with members of both groups being subsequently co-opted onto the Film Committee for the newly-formed Regional Film Theatre which was housed in Eden Court Theatre from the time it first opened.
Another film club was an offshoot from the Women's Group in Inverness. "Pretty Pictures", as it was originally called, concentrated on showing films made with a strong input from women, either as producers, directors or actresses with a major role, and which dealt with women's lives and their place in society. It held its screenings in Inverness College. The club was subsequently renamed "Alternative Screen" and a change of venue to the Riverside cinema, within Eden Court, soon followed, where the programme eventually broadened out, but after a year or two this club ceased to function
A hiatus of a few years lasted until Liz Spencer took up her post as Film Development Officer at Eden Court Theatre. Liz encouraged some film audiences to stay behind after films to discuss what they had seen and an informal group of film fans developed, which chose particular "viewing sessions" from the Theatre's film programme. Liz provided notes for these and led discussions afterwards. After her departure the group continued the practice and it was out of this nucleus that IFF! was eventually formed. Gale Chrisman, now retired in the USA, and several others were enthusiastic to see the perpetuation of the group and this led to the formation of Inverness Film Fans.
Although film societies with differing names, venues and methods of operation have emerged with varying success over the years, they all have had one thing in common - a desire to see and discover well-crafted, inspiring and thought provoking films. It is no surprise that several of the films included in the inaugural programme of the Arts Guild Film Society in 1972 have also featured in IFF! programmes in the 2000's. A classic film bears repeated viewing, reflection and study. InFiFa aims to continue in this tradition.
OUR CURRENT CONSTITUTION IS ATTACHED BELOW…
