The Liaison of Independent Filmmakers of Toronto (LIFT) is an artist-run cultural and educational media arts organization dedicated to celebrating excellence in the moving image. LIFT exists to provide support and encouragement for independent filmmakers and artists through affordable access to production, post-production and exhibition equipment; professional and creative development; workshops and courses; commissioning and exhibitions; artist-residencies; and a variety of other services. Membership is open to anyone interested in the centre and its activities.

All memberships are annual and expire one year to the end of the month in which they were subscribed. Memberships are based on a calendar month.

Memberships are non-refundable and / or transferable.

APPLYING FOR A MEMBERSHIP
Applications can be mailed to or dropped off at:
LIFT Membership
1137 Dupont Street
Toronto, Ontario  M6H 2A3

A COMPLETED MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION CONSISTS OF
- Membership Application Form
- Contact of 3 references
- Signed Hold Harmless Form
- Copy of Photo ID (valid drivers' license or passport only)

- Payment (mail: cheque payable to LIFT or  in person: cash, debit or credit card)

DOWNLOAD MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION
Applications can be found in the attatchments below - current as of September 2009

MEMBERSHIP SUSPENSION
By LIFT: Membership will be suspended by LIFT if any bills go unpaid for longer than 90 days, or if any bills go unpaid larger than $300. During a suspension due to overdue payments membership expiry does not change.

By Member: Membership can be suspended voluntarily for one period (up to a maximum of 6 months) during each one year membership term. After the 6 months, the membership will be automatically reinstated by the Membership and Volunteer Coordinator. A formal written request must be sent at least 2 weeks in advance of the start of the suspension. If a member suspends membership they will not have access to any membership benefits during the period of the suspension. Upon the reinstatement of membership the member will carry all benefits to their original expiry date plus the number of months membership was suspended.

INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIP LEVELS

ASSOCIATE MEMBER - First Level
Cost: $60 per year

Associate Member Benefits:
- Receive weekly e-bulletin
- Post free listings of their productions screenings in the e-bulletin
- Entitled to members' rates on workshops and courses
- Entitled to members' admission rate for LIFT screenings
- Entitled to discounts at various film service companies
- Inclusion on LIFT's online Cast and Crew Listings (currently offline until 2012)
- Ability to submit screenplays for a LIFT OUT LOUD reading
- Ability to attend LIFT's Screenwriters Circle
- If in good standing, member is entitled to apply for the LIFT Production Support Program (announced annually) and apply for other opportunities provided by LIFT to current members.

After completing eight (8) hours of volunteer work with LIFT* Associate members are then able to gain access to rental equipment and facilities:
- Rent production and post-production equipment at Associate Member rates
- Priority booking of production and post-production equipment two (2) weeks in advance

*Note: There is a buy-out option for volunteer hours at a rate of $10 per hour. To obtain rental status, one can either volunteer, buy-out, or complete a combination of both options. Volunteer hours that remain unused in a membership year may carried over if a current Associate Membership is maintained.

Upgrading to Full Membership:

Any Associate member in good standing may become a Full member by completing an additional eight (8) hours of volunteer* work and paying an additional fee of $60.00 (please note: when upgrading you will still expire at your original expiry date). Thereafter, maintenance of the Full Membership requires sixteen (16) hours of volunteer* work every year, plus an annual$120.00 membership fee.

FULL MEMBER - Second Level
Cost: $120 per year

After completing an additional 8 hours (16 in total) of volunteer work (or opting to buy out a portion or all hours at a rate of $10.00 per hour) and paying an additional $60.00, an Associate Member may upgrade to Full Member to receive the following additional benefits: - All Associate Member benefits
- Rent production and post-production equipment at Full Member rate
- Priority booking of production and post-production equipment six (6) weeks in advance

VISITING ARTIST MEMBERSHIPS:

LIFT provides all benefits of LIFT membership to visiting artists from other regions of Canada (outside Ontario), who are members of an Independent Media Arts Alliance (IMAA) member production centre (distribution and presentation  centres excluded).

Visiting artist memberships are valid for a maximum of eight (8) weeks per year. Confirmation of membership level, good standing and a positive reference from your local centre is required prior to extending LIFT membership benefits

ORGANZATIONAL MEMBERSHIPS:

Organizational Memberships are only available for non-profit media arts production centers, festivals, galleries, arts education and training institutions, social justice and other not for profit organizations. As per LIFT’s mandate, commercial enterprises, production companies and other for profit groups are not eligible for organizational memberships with LIFT. Contact Membership for more details.

CAST AND CREW LISTING SUBSCRIPTIONS  

 (This service will be available in early 2012) 

- Receive weekly e-bulletin (must pay non-members' rates for e-bulletin postings and workshops)
- Crew Resume listed online under selected crew positions OR Cast resume and headshot listed online under Actors