FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Borrego Springs Film Festival Transforms into Borrego Springs Film Institute: A Landmark Step towards Promoting Art, Culture, and Education

[Borrego Springs, CA] - The Borrego Springs Film Festival proudly announces its new, independent status as The Borrego Springs Film Institute, a 501c(3) public non-profit organization. This landmark decision marks a significant milestone in the festival's history, solidifying its commitment to fostering the growth and appreciation of the arts, culture, and education within the community and beyond.

Founded in 2013, the Borrego Springs Film Festival has been at the forefront of showcasing exceptional independent films, documentaries, animation, and shorts, playing an important role in cultivating artistic talent, creating a vibrant film community, and drawing cinephiles from around the world to picturesque Borrego Springs, California.

As the Borrego Springs Film Institute, the organization looks to expand its impact, not only as a platform for showcasing films but also as a catalyst for enriching lives through various educational and cultural initiatives. The creation of its own organization enables the Institute to have more flexibility and broaden its mission by engaging in a more comprehensive range of programs and activities.

The goals of the Borrego Springs Film Institute include:

1. Strengthening Community Engagement: By creating its own nonprofit entity, the Borrego Springs Film Institute will be better positioned to collaborate with local businesses, educational institutions, and community groups to create unique and inclusive film-related experiences. The Institute aims to foster a sense of belonging and ownership within the community, encouraging active participation and support.

2. Advancing Arts and Culture: The Borrego Springs Film Institute will have access to a wider range of funding opportunities, grants, and sponsorships. This newfound financial stability and flexibility will empower the Institute to curate diverse cultural events, film screenings, and artistic programs that celebrate creativity and diversity in the cinematic arts.
3. Fostering Regional Development: The Borrego Springs Film Institute seeks to bolster the economic growth and cultural vibrancy of the region. The Institute plans to attract film tourism, facilitate local collaborations, and contribute to the overall appeal of Borrego Springs as an artistic and cultural community.

As the Borrego Springs Film Institute embarks on this exciting new chapter, the team remains steadfast in its commitment to maintaining the festival's original essence, passion, and dedication to independent filmmaking. The support of the community, sponsors, patrons, and filmmakers has been the driving force behind this transformative decision, and the Institute looks forward to continuing to build upon these relationships.

And the BSFI season begins in just a few months! Starting Friday, October 20, 2023, the BSFI, in cooperation with the Borrego Springs Library, will present a series of screenings, beginning with an outdoor screening, in the amphitheater at the County Park, of the fantasy comedy classic, from 1987, The Princess Bride.

More screenings and lectures are being planned for November and December at the Library, including a special screening of the classic thriller from 1962, The Manchurian Candidate, on November 28th at 4:00 pm, to be followed with a lecture by UCSD psychiatrist and professor Joel Dimsdale on the history of brainwashing in the post-WW II era. The lecture will be on November 30th at 4:00 pm.

And don’t forget to mark your calendars! January 11th – 15th, 2024, we’ll be celebrating our 11th annual Borrego Springs Film Festival, inaugurating our second decade showcasing great independent filmmaking.

For more information about the Borrego Springs Film Institute and its upcoming programs, please visit borregospringsfilmfestival.org or contact bsfi.mediarelations@gmail.com