About us
Independent Filmmakers Society (IFS) is an organisation in the Bay Area dedicated to the production of short student films. We are run by and aimed for students at UCSC, though we are open to anyone who wants to join. Members take charge in making the films that they want to make, and are given full creative freedom ​to execute their individual visions. It is our primary goal to ensure that each film gets made in the best form possible, and that no film is left behind.
To do so, IFS offers members the help and resources they need for producing their projects, including equipment workshops, networking opportunities, and guidance in planning. Members are highly encouraged to help each other as no film can be made alone. We have general meetings every week, which function as an opportunity to share film ideas, and to learn about others' projects that are currently in development. These meetings are the central hub of our organization, and are the introduction for most members to IFS.
In addition to making films, IFS provides a place in which film-impassioned students can connect through various events and activities. We hold frequent film screenings, guest speaker sessions, equipment workshops, and bonding events. At the end of each quarter, we host a film festival to show off the work that members have completed in the club.
Current Leadership
President
Saksham Kumar
& Co-Founder
Major: Film & Digital Media
Hometown: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Since his childhood, Saksham has been actively involved in middle and high school theater—acting as well as directing a number of them—with experience working under famous television personalities in India as an actor and assistant director. He has also acted in two and directed/written four short films, having begun after high school graduation. He is currently working on writing a play script and finishing two movies that are in post production. He looks forward to the opportunities, networking and content that Independent Filmmakers Society can create for all.
Vice-President
Nina Maravic
Major: Film & Digital Media
Hometown: Belgrade, Serbia
Before coming to UCSC, Nina attended a part-time film school, worked on several different projects and received a few awards for some of her short films. During her time in high school, she participated in organizing several film festivals and other events such as a global human rights panel in October 2017, and humanitarian sports events. A film of hers won best documentary at the Hillsdale High School Film Festival, and was in the official selection for the Directing Change PSA contest. Another film made it into the Merlinka LGBTQ+ film festival and the TBG film festival.
Treasurer
Kevin Marshall
Major: Computer Science
Hometown: Vallejo, CA, United States of America
Kevin has always bee interested in the art of storytelling since he was young. From this foundation, he has grown to expand his horizon by watching films form around the world. He started making his own films in high school, focusing on genres like drama and psychological horror. During his films, he found that his real passion is in script writing and music production. In addition, he has worked in fundraising leadership positions all throughout high school and at UCSC, raising hundreds of dollars for clubs and projects. He is looking towards working with people on their films and seeing what amazing ideas can come from the club.
Secretary
Lilia Daniels
Major: Film & Digital Media
Hometown: Chicago, IL, United States of America
Lily has prior experience fundraising for organizations such as Project Linus, Student Task Force, and Gay-Straight Alliance. She is experienced in documentary, narrative, and sketch comedy film, and has worked with both digital and film formats for photo and video.
History
Founders of IFS
IFS was founded in fall quarter of 2019. It began when two film students, Anthony Alyassi and Joshua Gravitt, realised that UCSC was in need of a film club, and decided to take matters into their own hands. Knowing that they could not start a club on their own, they asked their friend Saksham Kumar to help with the ambitious endeavour, and he agreed enthusiastically. Anthony became President of IFS, Josh became Vice-President, and Saksham became Secretary.
Anthony Alyassi
Joshua Gravitt
Saksham Kumar
From that point on, Anthony, Josh, and Saksham worked tirelessly to make sure that IFS was the best film club on campus. On October 26 2019, the first IFS general meeting was held.