About NFI

The Northwest Film Institute, Inc. (NFI) is a not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) corporation with a Public Charity Status: 170(b)(1)(A)(ii), based in Sandpoint, Idaho. The Institute has formed to provide graduate level education in the field of the moving image, film and digital video production.

Management

NFI's management team and board of directors is led by long-time Hollywood film producer Ted Parvin, and includes Paul Castro (professional screenwriter and UCLA faculty); Mitchell Fullerton (former motion picture marketing company president); David Hussey (independent filmmaker, formerly with PBS); Pat Ficek (successful entrepreneur turned independent filmmaker); and Carol Trusz (writer, educator, marketing executive and an internationally acclaimed filmmaker).

Supporters

• Idaho State Film Bureau
• Arts Council for the City of Sandpoint
• Bonner County Economic Development Corporation
• The City of Sandpoint
• The Federal Small Business Development Center, Boise, Idaho

NFI Feasibility Study

NFI conducted a five-part feasibility study in 2008, with a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture - Rural Development, administered by the City of Sandpoint, Idaho. The project was designed to estimate the feasibility of establishing a film institute in the Sandpoint area. It included a detailed survey of currently operating educational film programs, and explored faculty availability, student housing opportunities, internship placement opportunities with commercial film studios, and alternative funding sources. The results returned were favorable to NFI in all five areas.

Market Analysis Summary

NFI's feasibility study included the survey of 29 operational film education programs, including film institutes and public colleges and universities. The results proved the projected NFI tuition competitive for market entry, validated the NFI curriculum, and revealed a market advantage for the NFI faculty model. Most importantly, the survey demonstrated a growing student demand for film education as the number of applicants far exceeds the number of students admitted by nearly all schools surveyed.

The Future of the Moving Image

Virtually all expert sources paint a picture of explosive growth in trained creatives of all kinds, and in particular for trained film makers as the medium requires comprehensive knowledge of several media. This is based on the ever-increasing demand for content due to the rapid growth in available distribution channels: satellite and cable TV channel expansion; forthcoming HD with increased capacity; faster internet capabilities; direct to DVD, etc.

Sources and Use of Funds

NFI is seeking to raise funds through grants, donations and/or bank loans, for the funding required to launch the Institute through its first six months prior to beginning its first academic year. The Institute is currently identifying grants on a national and local basis that complement the goals and efforts of the program.  We anticipate that grants will be an important part of our yearly funding or the first two years of operation.

Conclusion

NFI has a unique opportunity to provide a high quality educational program that will assist students in meeting their educational, career, and personal goals in the film industry, while providing the State of Idaho with a qualified and fully prepared work force in the field of the moving image.

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The information above is excerpted from the NFI business plan and the 2008 feasibility study. Parties with serious interest in the project are welcome to contact NFI to request copies of the business plan and feasibility study. To contact NFI, click here.

For information about the NFI mission and vision, click here.