Vancouver: Since the Cineworks Independent Filmmakers Society launched in 1980 and immediately became the focal point of British Columbia independent filmmaking, the end credits of 210 short films and 24 features have listed the non-profit group as a key contributor.

Highlights of Cineworks-supported productions were packaged and screened during its 20th anniversary festivities June 6-9 at the Pacific Cinematheque Theatre in Vancouver. Celebrations concluded June 10 with a fundraising gala hosted by member and indie director Mina Shum (Double Happiness) at the Roundhouse Community Centre.

Cineworks has been a crucial element of the developing domestic industry, says event organizer and filmmaker Caroline Coutts (The Lonely Passion of Petar the Pig Farmer).

‘Twenty years ago there was no one else,’ says Coutts of the early days when Peggy Campbell, Al Razutis and other Simon Fraser University filmmaking students registered their society. ‘Now there is a big industry, although only 25% is indigenous.’

Cineworks provides a community for independent filmmakers, says Coutts, along with events, workshops, salons and other support. For their $100 per year dues, members can rent 16mm cameras, editing equipment and other gear for much discounted rates. Members also get free tickets to the Cineworks-sponsored Canadian Images Gala held annually at the Vancouver International Film Festival.

And does the society take credit for industry developments like the domestic tax credit? ‘Damn right we do,’ says Coutts, with good humor. ‘We were significant players in the creation of British Columbia Film. We’ve been presenting briefs to government since the beginning of time.’

Cineworks is also no stranger to controversy. Member Ileana Peitrobruno, director of Cat Swallows Parakeet and Speaks (1996), created rumblings about her Canada Council-support feature about female pirates – described in the House of Commons as lesbian pornography. The Girl Who Would Be King, as it is called at present, is still in development.

Meanwhile, members past and present include Peggy Thompson (Better than Chocolate), Nettie Wild (A Place Called Chiapas) and brothers Raymond and Nathaniel Massey. Today, there are 225 members on the roster.

On the highlight reels were Thompson’s 14-minute short It’s a Party from 1986, the first production supported by Cineworks’ production workshop. Also included was the 1995 Genie-winning feature documentary Bones of the Forest (Velcrow Ripper and Heather Friese) and Russell Stephen’s Regeneration, a sci-fi story about bringing dead people to life and, in 1987, the very first feature film produced out of the Cinework’s facilities.

www.cineworks.bc.ca