ABOUT
“Promoting reason, critical thinking and freedom of inquiry through the medium of film”...This is the mission statement of the Freethought Film Festival Foundation.
As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, the main focus of the Freethought Film Festival Foundation is to host an annual, International Freethought Film Festival event. It is not only to celebrate the right to express freethought concepts, but to also educate those interested in learning more about those concepts. Through this effort, it is anticipated to be the launch of a newly recognized Freethought Film niche for other film festivals to include in their own future programming. Films that encourage reason, critical thinking and freedom of inquiry, now have a home. Other programs for advancing freethought film and the community of reason are also a part of the efforts of FFFF. As we grow, we would like to share films with groups and organizations, with the similar goal of advancing reason, who may desire to put together day-long film festival events that are free to the public, in their own communities.
“My personal goal as the director of the Freethought Film Festival Foundation is to make every effort to produce a first-rate event with a successful turnout.” explained Andrea Steele, founder and executive director. “I would like for my enthusiasm for the International Freethought Film Festival to become contagious among others who desire growth and visibility for the freethought community. It has been a long time coming, and I want freethinkers to know that this is their film festival. The subject matter is extensive, and the creative angles from which independent filmmakers can present them, gives this such great potential.”
Some of the themes that are considered part of the Freethought category are those that challenge what some societies and cultures deem unchallengeable, such as religion or government policies. The examination of truth claims that are of interest to skeptics, such as paranormal claims, alternative medicine, UFO’s, psychics and astrology, fits this niche. Films that shed light on Human Rights issues, and stories of brave women and men who, against the odds, have the courage of their convictions to affect positive change in society are also considered freethought.
From the Founder |
 Dear Freethinker, Many flourishing metropolitan areas have independent film festivals, GLBT film festivals, African American film festivals, Jewish film festivals and spiritual/faith film festivals. It is time that we add the International Freethought Film Festival to that list. We need your help to move ahead on this groundbreaking project. Andrea Steele's Bio
Andrea Steele is a mother of three teenagers and has been married to her high school sweetheart for 19 years. She has an Associates degree in Business, but prefers writing. She writes when inspired, and her activism began with the self-publication of the book "Your Preacher May Not Want You to Read This". Her freethought activism includes the founding of Families in Reason in 2002, which received recognition by the Council for Secular Humanism and resulted in her employment as the Coordinator for the Secular Family Network. Her work with Jan Eisler and Toni Van Pelt lead to the start of the Center for Inquiry-Florida (Now CFI-Tampa). Her idea for a freethought film festival was shared at that time, and received positive reactions, but the idea never made it to the planning stage. The project never left her mind. She began to actively plan the first of its kind International Freethought Film Festival in March 2009. She incorporated Freethought Film Festival Foundation, Inc. in August 2009, and was successful in establishing it as a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational organization. Andrea has been invited to be a member of the planning committee for the upcoming 2013 Unity Convention. She now works voluntarily as the director of FFFF, managing all details of executing the film festival. |
©2010 Freethought Film Festival Foundation, Inc.