{"id":2860,"date":"2025-08-15T03:03:00","date_gmt":"2025-08-15T07:03:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/brooklyn-trend.com\/?p=2860"},"modified":"2025-08-15T03:05:28","modified_gmt":"2025-08-15T07:05:28","slug":"the-film-makers-cooperative-is-a-non-profit-organization-that-promotes-experimental-cinema","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/brooklyn-trend.com\/en\/eternal-2860-the-film-makers-cooperative-is-a-non-profit-organization-that-promotes-experimental-cinema","title":{"rendered":"The Film-Makers&#8217; Cooperative is a non-profit organization that promotes experimental cinema"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>The Film-Makers&#8217; Cooperative is the first artist-run nonprofit organization dedicated to the dissemination of experimental film and media arts. It is a membership-based, non-contractual, non-exclusive organization, meaning that artists control the rights and prices of their films themselves. Since its inception in the 1960s, membership in the Cooperative and the ability to post works for distribution have been open to all on a non-discriminatory basis. Read more about the mission and work of the organization at <a href=\"http:\/\/brooklyn-trend.com\">brooklyn-trend.com.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_74 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a13c7bfec060\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a13c7bfec060\"  aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/brooklyn-trend.com\/en\/eternal-2860-the-film-makers-cooperative-is-a-non-profit-organization-that-promotes-experimental-cinema\/#History_of_creation\" >History of creation<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/brooklyn-trend.com\/en\/eternal-2860-the-film-makers-cooperative-is-a-non-profit-organization-that-promotes-experimental-cinema\/#The_mission_of_the_cooperative\" >The mission of the cooperative<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/brooklyn-trend.com\/en\/eternal-2860-the-film-makers-cooperative-is-a-non-profit-organization-that-promotes-experimental-cinema\/#Fighting_censorship\" >Fighting censorship<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/brooklyn-trend.com\/en\/eternal-2860-the-film-makers-cooperative-is-a-non-profit-organization-that-promotes-experimental-cinema\/#Collection_of_film_works\" >Collection of film works<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"History_of_creation\"><\/span>History of creation<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.brooklyn-trend.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2025\/08\/ad_4nxeov6qa6fvywjqocelgd9jiac3tfeq9hhbgedwjxxsyxk6wi-prhiimmuxpkg1jhhra11nhbdxaiqivkmwu9vlgaovaluqppngshasbhfmzewzvxthr_6w-5g-j6jpquf4j-uxvkeyee88qlg3un2vhlxdwogthw.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Thus, on July 14, 1961, a new cinematic organization was founded in Brooklyn, consisting of 22 New York artists. Among them were such well-known artists of the time as Jonas Mekas, Shirley Clarke, Ken and Flo Jacobs, Andy Warhol, and Jack Smith. You will agree that the company is quite reputable. At its core, this cooperative organization became a distribution unit. To its credit, it should be noted that it continues to be so to this day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And then, based on the unshakable belief of the organization&#8217;s founders that official cinema was running out of steam, becoming morally corrupt, aesthetically outdated, thematically superficial, and temperamentally boring, The Film-Makers&#8217; Cooperative became a key film institution. This was also relevant because it was during that period that American experimental, or as it was also called underground, cinema flourished. Therefore, it was in the 1960s and 1970s that the cooperative began and continues to operate to ensure the existence of an alternative, non-commercial film culture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>During the first two decades of its existence, the organization was a commercial center for the distribution of membership fees. However, in 1981, when Marjorie Keller, a renowned experimental filmmaker, writer, activist, and film critic, took over the helm, the organization expanded its mission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It was under her leadership that the cooperative took on an educational, artistic, and literary mission, as well as activities that included film screenings, seminars, workshops, book publications, and more. At that time, the organization had the opportunity to distribute video and digital media, whereas before that it had only shown analog films. Thus, the scientific and technological process contributed to the promotion of The Film-Makers&#8217; Cooperative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It should be noted that Marjorie Keller was not a trivial woman, who served on the board of directors of the Collective for Living Cinema and was the founding editor of Motion Picture magazine. The woman was involved in contemporary politics, and she did so quite thoroughly. For example, Marjorie was arrested for participating in a protest near the White House. The protesters were protesting against President Nixon&#8217;s price controls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition, Marjorie Keller was quite active during the Republican Party convention in 1972. And the icing on the cake of Keller&#8217;s film work was her creativity. As you know, in the 1960s and 1970s <a href=\"https:\/\/montrealyes.com\/uk\/eternal\/tereza-kasgrejn-velyka-gumanistka-yaka-borolasya-za-vyznannya-prava-golosu-za-zhinkamy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">the feminist movement<\/a> was in full swing, which could not but be reflected in the director&#8217;s films. Marjorie openly rejected the generally accepted rules and laws, which, as we know, did not take into account the so-called feminist film theory. But as a result of this movement, feminist film theory was applied to the majority of films made by women in that era. This is what Marjorie Keller was primarily responsible for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_mission_of_the_cooperative\"><\/span>The mission of the cooperative<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.brooklyn-trend.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2025\/08\/ad_4nxfrhpqa5jaeohogw8hldjw4m7i4ux2verlvjzggk10bfaaaairswibkqmev7b1hp3hn0q3ck84na1v6yx5iswwkc5cbjq-3fxurzzehh96jaj4xw03e2-o4hiksap9yox7zfrq5pakeyee88qlg3un2vhlxdwogthw.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>However, The Film-Makers&#8217; Cooperative was not just about Keller. The organization had a Board of Directors. It consisted of Larry Gottheim, Vincent Grenier, Dave Geary, Paul Arthur, and M.M. Serra. It was these ladies and gentlemen who organized the charity art auction that took place at the Three Zero Gallery, where they presented no less than 102 works. The event took place in 1991.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The idea of holding such auctions came a long time ago, so the first charity auction was the beginning of annual art auctions that raised money to finance preservation projects and other expenses. As the executive director of the cooperative, M.M. Serra obtained a non-profit status for The Film-Makers&#8217; Cooperative. After that, the organization gained the right to archive and preserve old films and videos for future generations of viewers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the 2000s, the board members began to expand the digital collection of The Film-Makers&#8217; Cooperative. At that time, the organization&#8217;s film collection consisted of more than 5,000 films by more than 1,000 authors and producers. The list of authors in this collection speaks volumes about the level of work in this collection: Maya Deren, Marie Menken, Jonas Mekas, Michael Snow, Carolyn Schneemann, Peggy Avesch, Stan Brakhage, and Ken and Flo Jacobs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On January 31, 2023, The Film-Makers&#8217; Cooperative announced that M.M. Serra is stepping down as executive director, a position she has held for more than thirty years. During this term, she led the organization into the digital age, breathing life into it, working tirelessly to preserve the cinematic legacy that was created many years ago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Fighting_censorship\"><\/span>Fighting censorship<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.brooklyn-trend.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2025\/08\/ad_4nxe31olnpapjqwwuj7ylmtgm79mgmtod9lfv4xflstrjtpfsxtalahluwgdr5qqigbayvi1p_hqvswsnj8tbprypypxinc22jqigvt6vmie7xluk7evphisg6fhosyagoosgdzhgtgkeyee88qlg3un2vhlxdwogthw.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Serra has also successfully led The Film-Makers&#8217; Cooperative through four relocations&lt;\/a11&lt;\/a&gt; and countless changes&lt;\/a13&lt;\/a&gt; over many decades. Therefore, on May 26, 2023, The Film-Makers&#8217; Cooperative announced the change of the organization&#8217;s executive director. Dr. Tom Day has been appointed as the new director.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Tom taught and researched art history and film studies at the University of Edinburgh and the Institute of Arts, University of London. He also directed the Center for American Art, a leading research center in the film field. Tom Day planned lectures, symposia, seminars, screenings, and other events for those involved in film.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Nowadays, the main attraction of The Film-Makers&#8217; Cooperative is its non-exclusive principle of fighting against censorship, which makes the organization open to anyone who wants to become a member. Moreover, it was The Film-Makers&#8217; Cooperative that inspired all those who cared about the development of cinema to create similar organizations both in the United States and in other countries, such as England, Canada, Denmark, and others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Collection_of_film_works\"><\/span>Collection of film works<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.brooklyn-trend.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2025\/08\/ad_4nxcr6exqsyefrx5iwybawmytrmqfdzqpi7yoo_sd-lcz01gitdxyqxewmkdmqqkxzbmtetmfqf8wz-61poonil8srzqgm8mm9gc6lwejuhfsurirs5gz2pqdeetlstantffwqw6xiqkeyee88qlg3un2vhlxdwogthw.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>As a result, it is now known that The Film-Makers&#8217; Cooperative has a huge collection of works that were created by artists with different backgrounds. Among these works are paintings on the history of cinema and media art by queer, female and black artists. The cooperative is proud to be the first to provide support to the authors of these works, much earlier than mainstream art organizations and film institutions. Today, The Film-Makers&#8217; Cooperative&#8217;s collection is one of the largest repositories of film and media art in the world. More than 6,000 works are known to be in the collection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Film-Makers&#8217; Cooperative also undertakes to support, distribute, preserve, and exhibit the works of art currently in its collection, the so-called moving image. Moreover, now, as in the past, anyone can submit their work to The Film-Makers&#8217; Cooperative for distribution. In addition, all members of the organization retain full, non-exclusive ownership of their work. The existing collection is one of the largest, and this is not surprising, since the organization includes more than 2 thousand film artists and filmmakers. In addition, The Film-Makers&#8217; Cooperative has one of the largest repositories of film and media art in the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sources:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/co-festival.coop\/2023\/en\/c\/p\/the-film-makers-cooperative\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/co-festival.coop\/2023\/en\/c\/p\/the-film-makers-cooperative\/<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/expcinema.org\/site\/en\/wiki\/article\/the-filmmakers-cooperative\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/expcinema.org\/site\/en\/wiki\/article\/the-filmmakers-cooperative<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/film-makerscoop.com\/about\/activities\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/film-makerscoop.com\/about\/activities<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Film-Makers&#8217; Cooperative is the first artist-run nonprofit organization dedicated to the dissemination of experimental film and media arts. It is a membership-based, non-contractual, non-exclusive organization, meaning that artists control the rights and prices of their films themselves. Since its inception in the 1960s, membership in the Cooperative and the ability to post works for [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":306,"featured_media":2845,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[154],"tags":[1378,1367,1355,1368,1372,1375,1369,1371,1376,1377,1373,1374,1370],"motype":[160],"moformat":[20],"moimportance":[32,35],"class_list":{"0":"post-2860","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-kino","8":"tag-audience","9":"tag-brooklyn-cinemas","10":"tag-cinema","11":"tag-cinemas","12":"tag-movie-company","13":"tag-movie-hall","14":"tag-movie-palaces","15":"tag-movie-screen","16":"tag-movie-screenings","17":"tag-moviegoers","18":"tag-music-in-movies","19":"tag-silent-movies","20":"tag-sound-cinemas","21":"motype-eternal","22":"moformat-vlasna","23":"moimportance-golovna-novyna","24":"moimportance-retranslyacziya-v-agregatory"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/brooklyn-trend.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2860","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/brooklyn-trend.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/brooklyn-trend.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/brooklyn-trend.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/306"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/brooklyn-trend.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2860"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/brooklyn-trend.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2860\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2873,"href":"https:\/\/brooklyn-trend.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2860\/revisions\/2873"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/brooklyn-trend.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2845"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/brooklyn-trend.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2860"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/brooklyn-trend.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2860"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/brooklyn-trend.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2860"},{"taxonomy":"motype","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/brooklyn-trend.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/motype?post=2860"},{"taxonomy":"moformat","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/brooklyn-trend.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/moformat?post=2860"},{"taxonomy":"moimportance","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/brooklyn-trend.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/moimportance?post=2860"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}