Idaho Film Society

What Idaho Film Society does

Idaho Film Society (IFS) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2023 in Boise, Idaho, operating a boutique cinema and statewide film ecosystem from a converted Greyhound Bus Station at 1212 West Bannock Street branded as the IFS Station (a 21+ venue). The organization serves film enthusiasts, Idaho-based filmmakers, students, tribal communities, and corporate sponsors through curated independent and international film screenings Thursday through Sunday, an annual Idaho Film Hall of Fame, workshops and masterclasses featuring industry professionals, filmmaker mixers, and the IFS Dinner & A Movie premium event series. Its products include the IFS Station Movie Theater, the free statewide Idaho Film Directory connecting filmmakers and crew, a Film + Gear Rental Facility, a planned production soundstage described as the largest in Idaho, the touring IFS Roadshow program visiting seven Idaho cities, Secret Cinema, and event space rental.

IFS's underlying technology stack is intentionally light and operational rather than differentiated: Ludus handles ticketing, gift cards, and donations; FilmFreeway manages Roadshow film submissions; and Google Calendar integration distributes event schedules via downloadable .ics links. No proprietary AI, data, or platform IP is disclosed; the organization's defensibility rests on physical infrastructure, programming curation by ten named curators, and a growing statewide network of partners and 66 independent cinemas intended as a local-films-to-local-audiences distribution backbone.

The business model is diversified across recurring and transactional streams: tiered annual memberships ($60 Basic, $120 Solo, $200 Dual, $500-$1,000 Founders Society), per-event ticket sales with premium dinner-and-a-movie pricing at $60-$80 per person, corporate sponsorship packages from $2,500/month Film Sponsor up to $10,000/year Producing Sponsor, equipment and event space rentals, tax-deductible donations, and 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsorship of approved Idaho-based film projects. Go-to-market is community-led and event-driven, with a regional expansion motion executed through the IFS Roadshow and a co-presentation model with partners such as the Kenworthy Performing Arts Centre, University of Idaho's Habib Institute for Asian Studies, Idaho Humanities Council, and Boise State Public Radio.

Name

Idaho Film Society

Legal name

Idaho Film Society

Website

https://idahofilm.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2023

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Idaho Film Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2023 that operates a boutique Boise cinema in a converted Greyhound Bus Station, offering curated screenings, filmmaker workshops, gear rentals, a statewide film directory, and the IFS Roadshow across seven Idaho cities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Independent Cinema & Film Arts Education

NAICS

Motion Picture and Video Exhibition (51213), Motion Picture Theaters (except Drive-Ins) (512131)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture Theaters (7830), Services-Allied To Motion Picture Production (7819)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYMPADAKAL

Programming, Booking & Repertory Exhibition Services

Media, Entertainment & Sports/Film & Video Production/Distribution/Exhibition (Cinemas, Film Festivals, Screenings)

SECONDARYMPADAKAF

Screening Rooms & Cinematheques (Nonprofit/Institutional)

Media, Entertainment & Sports/Film & Video Production/Distribution/Exhibition (Cinemas, Film Festivals, Screenings)

Keywords

• Independent film exhibition
• Filmmaker community programs
• Film equipment rentals
• Cinema membership programs
• Film education workshops

Headquarters

HQ city

Boise

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Subscriptions: Annual membership programs at multiple tiers (Basic $60, Solo $120, Dual $200, Founders Society $500-$1,000) providing ticket benefits, discounts, and exclusive access to member curation opportunities.
2. Ticket Sales: Standard screenings and special event tickets sold per screening. Special events like dinner-and-a-movie experiences command premium pricing ($60-$80 per person).
3. Corporate Sponsorships: Sponsorship packages ranging from Film Sponsor ($2,500 monthly) to Producing Sponsor ($10,000 yearly), providing logo placement, tickets, and recognition benefits.
4. Equipment and Space Rentals: Film and gear rental facility and production soundstage available for Idaho productions, keeping production costs tied to Idaho.
5. Event Space Rental: The converted Greyhound Bus Station venue is available for private events, fundraisers, and film premieres.
6. Donations: Tax-deductible donations supporting the nonprofit's mission to grow Idaho's visual arts scene.
7. Fiscal Sponsorship: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, offering fiscal sponsorship to approved Idaho-based film projects that support the mission.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Idaho Film Society operates a boutique movie theater (IFS Station) in a converted Greyhound Bus Station in downtown Boise, screening hand-picked independent, international, and specialty films with curated Q&As and special guests. The organization supplements exhibition with a statewide Idaho Film Directory, equipment and soundstage rentals, educational workshops and masterclasses, the touring IFS Roadshow program, and an annual Idaho Film Hall of Fame. Support comes via memberships, sponsorships, donations, and event space rentals.

Product overview

Idaho Film Society operates as a 501c3 nonprofit arts organization offering a unified portfolio of cinema and filmmaking services. The core offering is the IFS Station Movie Theater, a boutique cinema in downtown Boise featuring curated film screenings with discussions and Q&As. Supporting products include the Idaho Film Directory (a free statewide filmmaker database), IFS Roadshow (traveling statewide film showcase), Idaho Film Hall of Fame (annual awards event), and Workshops/Masterclasses for filmmaker education. The organization also provides Film + Gear Rental, a Production Soundstage, and Event Space Rental as facilities-based offerings. Membership programs and Sponsorship opportunities support the organizational ecosystem. All offerings are designed to grow Idaho's film economy and creative ecosystem.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• IFS Station: The main movie theater venue operated by Idaho Film Society, located in the old Greyhound Bus Station.
• Idaho Film Directory
• Idaho Film Hall of Fame
• IFS Roadshow
• Secret Cinema

Products and services

• IFS Station Movie Theater Boutique cinema in downtown Boise housed in a converted Greyhound Bus Station featuring hand-picked films from around the world with curated discussions, special guests, and Q&As Thursday through Sunday; serves the general public and members.
• Idaho Film Directory A free statewide online database connecting filmmakers, crew, and creative professionals across Idaho, with search by name, position, experience level, and collaboration preferences.
• Secret Cinema Monthly curated screening program in which one of ten resident curators selects a film without revealing the title in advance, creating an element of mystery and discovery for attendees.
• Film + Gear Rental Facility On-site rental facility providing filmmaking equipment to Idaho productions, eliminating the need for filmmakers to travel to Salt Lake City or Portland to source gear.
• Production Soundstage Production stage in development, planned to be the largest in Idaho, designed to accommodate productions ranging from student films to larger agency shoots.
• IFS Roadshow Statewide touring film showcase visiting Sun Valley, Moscow, Coeur d'Alene, Twin Falls, Pocatello, Idaho Falls, and Boise from fall 2025 through March 2026, designed to establish regional film society chapters and connect filmmakers statewide.
• Idaho Film Hall of Fame Annual ceremony honoring Idahoans who have made significant contributions to film or filmmaking, and non-Idahoans who have advanced the Idaho film industry. Inaugural event held May 9, 2026 at Treefort Music Hall.
• Workshops and Masterclasses Educational programming for filmmakers of all experience levels including stop-motion animation workshops, film legal masterclasses, and other professional development opportunities featuring industry professionals; has reached nearly 400 students.
• IFS Membership Programs Subscription-based membership tiers (Basic $60, Solo $120, Dual $200, Founders Society $500-$1,000 per year) offering member tickets, discounts, pre-sale access, member curation opportunities, and invitations to member mixers and the Idaho Film Hall of Fame.
• Event Space Rental Rental of the converted Greyhound Bus Station venue for private events, fundraisers, film premieres, and community gatherings; the space has hosted 87 events.
• IFS Dinner & A Movie Premium special event pairing a multi-course themed dinner with a feature film screening (e.g., Goodfellas Italian feast, RRR Indian cuisine), priced $60 per person for the base tier and $80 for the Wiseguy VIP wine-pairing experience.
• Summer Filmmaker Mixer Annual networking event bringing together filmmakers, actors, and movie lovers, featuring gear demos, local film organization tables, food vendors, and short film screenings.

Named customers7 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Treefort Music HallcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 May 2026Venue partner for the inaugural Idaho Film Hall of Fame ceremony on May 9, 2026. Treefort Music Hall hosts the event featuring doors at 7 PM, ceremony at 8 PM, silent auction closing at 9 PM, and event end at 10 PM.
• Idaho ProvisionsminorOthersCatering partner providing pass appetizers during the Idaho Film Hall of Fame cocktail hour.
• Boise QuartetminorOthersLive music entertainment during the Idaho Film Hall of Fame cocktail hour.
• Kenworthy Performing Arts CentrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-presenter with IFS of A Page of Madness - a silent film with live benshi narrator and original score. One-night event resurrecting one of Japan's most electrifying films.
• University of Idaho's Habib Institute for Asian StudiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-presenter with IFS of A Page of Madness event, bringing academic expertise in Asian studies to enhance the cinematic experience.
• Idaho Humanities CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-presenter with IFS of A Page of Madness event, providing humanities perspective on the Japanese silent film experience.
• Boise State Public RadiocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Journalism Under Fire: The Insider event. Journalists from Boise State Public Radio participate in Q&A discussions about journalism, public trust, and the importance of a free press following the screening.
• KIVV/ktvbminorOthersMedia sponsor for the inaugural Idaho Film Hall of Fame.
• Local Businesses and OrganizationscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnering with local businesses, nonprofits, and filmmakers to host fundraisers, film premieres, and other events at the IFS venue. IFS has hosted 87 events with local partners.
• Story & PixelminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDrone demo provider at the Summer Filmmaker Mixer event.
• Boise Acting StudiominorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLocal film organization tabling at Summer Filmmaker Mixer to connect with filmmakers.
• i48minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLocal film organization tabling at Summer Filmmaker Mixer to connect with filmmakers.
• WALminorOthersProvides Idaho Film Society merchandise sold at events and screenings.
• OWW SnapminorOthersFood vendor at the Summer Filmmaker Mixer event.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• The Egyptian Theatre (Boise): Historic single-screen performing arts and film venue in downtown Boise. Directly comparable as the other curated film/event venue in IFS's home market; IFS even co-presented its December 2023 launch event there.
• Coolidge Corner Theatre: Independent nonprofit arthouse cinema in Brookline, MA operating as a community cultural hub. Same nonprofit repertory cinema + education + rental model as IFS, but at much larger scale — useful reference for IFS's institutional trajectory.
• Sun Valley Film Festival: Annual film festival and year-round filmmaker community in Sun Valley, Idaho. Closely comparable nonprofit-style regional film organization within Idaho — IFS founder Heather Rae Priest is a founding board member, signaling deep ecosystem overlap.
• The Loft Cinema: Nonprofit independent cinema in Tucson, AZ offering curated screenings, filmmaker events, and education programs. Closest direct operational analog — nonprofit, single-location repertory cinema, mission-driven programming in a non-coastal market.

Broad incumbents

• Alamo Drafthouse Cinema: National dine-in cinema chain specializing in curated, repertory, and themed programming with strict no-talking policy. Closest broad-incumbent analog to IFS's curated-plus-special-events model, but operating at national scale and for-profit.
• Film Independent: Nonprofit arts organization that produces the Spirit Awards and supports independent filmmakers through education, labs, and membership. Comparable nonprofit film community builder; serves as a model for the institutional maturity IFS could pursue.
• IFP / Independent Filmmaker Project: 40+ year old nonprofit supporting independent filmmakers through programming, education, and community events in New York. Closest analog as a nonprofit filmmaker-services organization combining screenings, workshops, and community-building.
• Sundance Institute: Nonprofit organization supporting independent filmmakers through festivals, labs, and year-round programming. Analogous nonprofit film ecosystem builder at national scale; useful reference for how IFS's filmmaker support and education programs could mature.
• Landmark Theatres: Largest art-house cinema chain in the U.S., focused on independent and foreign film exhibition. Comparable on repertory/arthouse exhibition model, but a national for-profit operator rather than a community nonprofit.

Regional players

• Reel Theatre: Regional movie theater chain headquartered in Idaho and operating across the Pacific Northwest. Closest comparable cinema operator in Idaho by footprint; competes for the same local filmgoing audience but with mainstream (vs. curated/repertory) programming.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/idahofilmsociety

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Idaho Film Society