Footage by Luis Horacio Pineda
Our Story
The Southern Arizona Film Society (SoAZFilm) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering a thriving, inclusive, and sustainable film community in Southern Arizona. Founded on the belief that storytelling has the power to shape culture, challenge perspectives, and bring people together, SoAZFilm provides mentorship, education, funding, and professional development opportunities for emerging and independent filmmakers.
Our mission is to uplift underrepresented voices and ensure that filmmakers—regardless of background, education, or financial resources—have access to the tools, knowledge, and industry connections they need to succeed. Our network includes students, early-career artists, professional and self-taught filmmakers, with a particular focus on supporting BIPOC, LGBTQAI2s+, female-identifying, disabled, and low-income creatives among others. By keeping our programs free and accessible, we ensure that aspiring filmmakers from rural border communities, Indigenous nations, and urban arts hubs can participate, connect, and grow within the industry.
Our goal is to offer support to anyone that needs it because we believe that a more educated film community with more resources will benefit not only our artists, but our region, its culture, businesses, and people.
Our Vision
The Southern Arizona Film Society is more than just a film society—it's a catalyst for cultural transformation, unification, and empowerment in Southern Arizona’s growing film community from Tucson to Nogales and beyond.
We are a network of diverse local filmmakers and community leaders dedicated to fostering a vibrant and sustainable film community that thrives on collaboration, inclusivity, and positive representation. At SoAZFilm, we recognize that film is not just entertainment—it's culture.
By nurturing and supporting filmmakers from all backgrounds working and creating in Southern Arizona, we ensure that the local film community remains accessible and valuable to all.
At the Southern Arizona Film Society, we will address the critical issue of limited access to resources and opportunities for local filmmakers working, collaborating, and creating original film art in our region. Through our commitment to prioritizing art over industry, we will provide empowering support services tailored to the needs of filmmakers in Southern Arizona.
What sets us apart is our unwavering dedication to inclusivity and diversity, ensuring that filmmakers from all backgrounds have equal access to the resources necessary for success. Our work is essential as it not only promotes positive representation, but also catalyzes cultural transformation and strengthens community bonds through the transformative power of cinema. To continue making a meaningful impact, support from our community is essential to expand our programs and extend our reach to more filmmakers across Southern Arizona.
Why?
Meet Our Team
We are a diverse team of film professionals and community leaders with decades of film, festival, and non-profit experience!
Our Values
Empathy
Responsible Filmmaking
We deeply respect the dignity of every individual and prioritize fostering mutual understanding and respect among all film creators in Southern Arizona. Our commitment to empathy drives us to embrace and celebrate the diverse values, backgrounds, and experiences that enrich our community. Together, we create, learn, grow, and flourishing as a united culture of artists.
We believe in the strength of unity and collaboration to fuel growth, both creatively and personally, within our community of filmmakers, artists, and creators across Southern Arizona. By coming together, supporting each other, and embracing collaboration, we can cultivate a thriving and interconnected film culture throughout our region.
Growth & Change
We embrace Growth and Change as core values, fostering open dialogue and discomfort for personal and collective growth. Committed to positive change, we provide resources and education to empower individuals and drive transformation within our film community, fostering innovation and inclusivity for meaningful progress.
Diversity & Inclusivity
Our mission centers on diversity, inclusivity, and positive representation. We're committed to creating a culture where every voice is not only included, but embraced and valued. We aim to cultivate a vibrant film community that reflects the diversity of Southern Arizona and beyond.
Collaboration & Connection
We advocate for responsible filmmaking with an emphasis on environmental sustainability, safety, inclusivity, and positive representation. We ensure fair compensation and recognition for all participants, regardless of project size, while fostering safe and inclusive spaces for artists of diverse backgrounds to collaborate and thrive, enriching our community.
Empowerment of Individuals
We work to relieve economic and commercial pressures on filmmakers, empowering them with legal and creative knowledge to assert their agency confidently. Our aim is fair compensation and authentic success for all involved in every stage of production.