Citing fiscal pinch, BFVF to dissolve

After 28 years as one of the city's most accessible institutions for aspiring and established local filmmakers, the Boston Film and Video Foundation announced yesterday that it is closing its doors and dissolving the nonprofit organization.

Llew Smith, president of the organization's board of directors, blamed the "continuing downturn in funding for the arts" for the collapse of the foundation. "In the past year alone, BFVF's annual contributed revenue declined by more than $70,000, which we were unable to make up from other sources," said Smith.

"Our financial status has been difficult for the last few years," he said, adding that the foundation already had taken several cost-cutting measures, including moving its offices to smaller quarters and laying off staff.

He said that despite efforts to "reinvigorate" the organization, the economic climate had led to a loss of funding sources. After reviewing the organization's financial situation, the board voted in January to not offer another course catalogue and to dissolve, said Smith.

"In the end, our fiscal issues overwhelmed us, and it was not viable for us to continue," he said.

However, on Feb. 5 the board agreed to allow Film Shack, a production company based in Roxbury, to assume the BFVF's assets, including the annual New England Film and Video Festival, which showcases the work of local filmmakers.

"We are going to continue the BFVF's mission, which is so important to the city," said Robert Patton-Spruill, an independent filmmaker and the director of Film Shack.

Although Film Shack is a for-profit company, its educational arm will be the not-for-profit Boston Educational Film and Video Association, said Patton-Spruill. He said the BFVF's film and video courses would resume this summer at Film Shack. The 29th annual New England Film and Video Festival, which had been slated for March, is scheduled to take place in October.

For many, though, the dissolution of the BFVF marks a turning point for the Boston arts community. "I took classes early on at BFVF that I felt were great," said longtime filmmaker Henry Ferrini of Gloucester. "They provided a service for so many years -- even just the community of filmmakers you found when you went there. It really puts a hole in the Boston independent film community."

Patton-Spruill vows that the revamped organization will "take the mission to a new level."

Smith hopes he's right. "[Patton-Spruill's] involvement means the services and activities that were so important to the BFVF will continue. He's clearly committed, and I am happy that he's taking over."

Loren King can be reached at loren.king@comcast.net.