On the heels of the IFP/Los Angeles decision to change its name to FIND, and distance itself from the other IFP chapters in 5 cities, the IFP/New York has changed its name back to IFP (Independent Feature Project). Meanwhile in the upper midwest, IFP/Minneapolis-St. Paul has re-branded itself as IFP/Minnesota Center for Media Arts.
IFP (New York) board chairman Ira Deutchman confirmed today that the 5 remaining chapters will maintain an affiliation via the IFP name, and the current chapters also authorized the formation of new chapters in Santa Fe, NY and Austin, TX. Lyra Baron will lead the IFP in Santa Fe, while Bret Branon and Krista Keosheyan will spearhead the Austin group.
"We did not issue a press release because we did not think the earth would move," laughed executive director Jane Minton, commenting on her boards decision to change the groups name, when contacted by indieWIRE today. "People who would be concerned, even if they noticed, would be the residents of Minnesota."
The decision reflects this weekend's ribbon-cutting (or rather film strip cutting) at the new 7,500 sq. ft. Center for Media Arts, where the group plans to serve some 10,000 people each year with education, exhibition and access programs. The new site includes the IFP/Minnesota offices, as well as editing suites, expanded darkrooms, and classroom facilities, film and photography equipment for members and new meeting spaces for outreach programs and community groups.
