Film Arts Foundation letter of support

27 March 2007

Honorable Mayor Tom Bates
And the Berkeley City Council
2180 Milvia Street
Berkeley, CA 94704

Dear Mayor Bates and
Berkeley City Council Members:

The Film Arts Foundation is a national service organization whose mission is to support independent filmmakers and filmmaking throughout our nation.

Headquartered in San Francisco, Film Arts produces a range of on-going programs and services for its membership and the movie-loving public. With a current membership roster in the several thousand, and a sponsorship portfolio of 240, it is the largest fiscal sponsor of independent filmmakers from sources like the National Endowment for the Arts in the country.

The crown jewel of our community is centered in Berkeley, California in the Saul Zaentz Media Center, at 10th & Parker. Of our 30 Academy-nominated films and members, this Film Arts cohort represent more than a thirteen of those accolades. They also have had their work represented in all of the most prestigious film festivals and series in the world. They collectively, are the most globally recognized artistic export that the City of Berkeley has been the beneficiary of in the cultural arena. Due to the medium of expression these artists have chosen, film media, their work has been seen by and influenced hundreds of millions of people. It would be a tragedy to have their collective wisdom, profile and influence vanish from your city. It would be a huge opportunity lost by your city to capitalize on potential economic impact gains & a raised PR profile of such an entity.

It is our hope that you would use your significant influence in this important sector of the city to allow this group of businesses to transition and rebuild at another location in Berkeley.

We hope you will give the Independent Documentary Community your support.

Sincerely,
Eric Hayashi

Eric Hayashi
Executive Director