Membership

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The Liaison of Independent Filmmakers of Toronto (LIFT) is a one of a kind artist run organization that exists to provide support and encouragement for independent filmmakers, artists, curators and exhibitors. For more than thirty years LIFT has been an essential resource for those looking to learn and share from like-minded artists and experienced instructors.

Our memberships are designed for people at all levels of their careers and abilities. Whether you’re looking to work with digital or analog LIFT has what you’re looking for. 

Annual membership fees go a long way. They are instrumental in supporting outreach programs, keeping our shop stocked with the newest gear, and ensuring that we can best serve our member base.

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 non-transferable.

Membership Applications and Renewals


Last Updated: March 7, 2024

Membership Eligibility:
– Must be 18 years of age or older ***
– We recommend reading our Statement of Inclusion and Code of Conduct prior to apply for membership
– Please read our current Operations and Facilities Protocols (to be updated shortly) prior to applying for membership

*** If you are a parent or guardian looking for filmmaking resources for youth under 18 years of age, please send an email to membership@lift.ca for a list alternative organizations to join

Before submitting an application, please add membership@lift.ca to your email safe list as all replies regarding applications will come from this email. If you apply for a membership and don’t hear back within ten (10) business days, feel free to email membership@lift.ca.


– If you’d like to receive the discounts on registering for workshops or buying items from the LIFT Store, please register as General Member.

 

Membership Levels and BenefitsGeneral
General Student
Production
Production Student
Organization I
Organization II
IMAAN
Independent Media Arts Access Network		International
Fee (CAD) $90 /year$75 /year$175 /year$75 /year$175 /year$275 /year $40 /4 weeks
Receive members' weekly e-bulletin
Ability to post in members' weekly e-bulletin
Discounts on workshops and courses
Discounts on LIFT Store
Discounts on admission to LIFT events
Ability to attend LIFT Screenwriters' Circle
Discounts from confirmed partner organisations
Ability to rent equipment and facilities
 Apply or
Renew
Online		Apply or
Renew
Online		Apply or
Renew
Online		Apply or
Renew
Online		Available
through
LIFT Office		Available
through
LIFT Office		Available
through
LIFT Office		Available
through
LIFT Office

 

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Please click here to read about our current operations protocols. To be updated soon.

For any additional membership related inquiries, please email membership@lift.ca

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GENERAL MEMBERSHIP
$90.00 CAD annually
Benefits:
– Receive the weekly members’ ebulletin via email
– Ability to post unlimited listings in weekly members’ ebulletin of cast and crew calls for productions that member is working on (regardless of the position)
– Ability to post unlimited listings in weekly members’ ebulletin of screenings, broadcasts, exhibitions for productions and projects that members worked on
– Discounted rates on LIFT seasonal workshops and courses
– Discounts on expendable motion picture items and merchandise in  LIFT Store
– Discounts on admission to LIFT screenings and exhibitions
– Ability to attend the monthly LIFT Screenwriting Circle
– Discounts on various workshops and events from partner organizations (To be updated in
January 2024)


GENERAL STUDENT MEMBERSHIP
$75.00 CAD annually
Benefits:
– All of the benefits of the General Level membership, at a discounted membership fee
– General Student Memberships are available for students enrolled in any Canadian post-secondary learning institution (public or private). Students enrolled in non-film/media programs are also eligible for this membership. Student verification of current enrolment will be required with your application.
– Must submit a letter of Confirmation of Registration from the Office of the Registrar, or a screenshot of your program, indicating at least a current part-time course load (at the time of membership application) from any Canadian post-secondary learning institution. Student cards, with or without expiry dates, are not accepted.


PRODUCTION MEMBERSHIP
$175.00 CAD annually
Benefits:
– All of the benefits of  the General Level Membership (see above)
– Ability to rent production equipment and post-production facilities
– Must submit contact information for three (3) character references and cannot be a LIFT staff or Board Member
– As LIFT’s membership is open to anyone regardless of filmmaking experience, references not do have to be film related
– Types of character references may include: teacher/professor, landlord, employer, manager/supervisor of a volunteer organization you worked at, creative colleague for a project you worked on, etc.} References cannot be a family member or a partner/spouse.
– The reference check takes at least ten (10) business days to process

 

PRODUCTION STUDENT MEMBERSHIP
$75.00 CND annually
Benefits:
– All of the benefits of the Production Level membership (see above), at a discounted membership fee
– Ability to rent production equipment and post-production facilities
– Production Student Memberships are available for students enrolled in any Canadian post-secondary learning institution (public or private). Students enrolled in non-film/media programs are also eligible for this membership. Student verification of current enrolment will be required with your application.
– Must submit a letter of Confirmation of Registration from the Office of the Registrar, or a screenshot of your program, indicating at least a current part-time course load (at the time of membership application) from any Canadian post-secondary learning institution. Student cards, with or without expiry dates, are not accepted.
– Must submit contact information for three (3) character references and cannot be a LIFT staff or Board Member
– As LIFT’s membership is open to anyone regardless of filmmaking experience, references not do have to be film related
– Types of reference may include teacher/professor, landlord, employer, manager/supervisor of a volunteer organization you worked at, film/art colleague, etc.
– The reference check takes at least ten (10) business days to process
 

GENERAL EQUITABLE MEMBERSHIP
$75.00 CAD annually

Eligibility:
– Geared towards recipients of Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP), Ontario Works, Employment Insurance (EI) or equivalent
– Proof of confirmation of enrollment in these programs will be requested as part of the application process. Please email us if you are currently unable to provide this documentation.

This membership level is currently not available via our online portal so please email membership@lift.ca to start the application process and for more details on required documents.

Benefits:
– Receive the weekly members’ ebulletin via email
– Ability to post unlimited listings in weekly members’ ebulletin of cast and crew calls for productions that member is working on (regardless of the position)
– Ability to post unlimited listings in weekly members’ ebulletin of screenings, broadcasts, exhibitions for productions and projects that members worked on
– Discounted rates on LIFT seasonal workshops and courses
– Discounts on expendable motion picture items and merchandise in  LIFT Store
– Discounts on admission to LIFT screenings and exhibitions
– Ability to attend the monthly LIFT Screenwriting Circle
– Discounts on various workshops and events from partner organizations

PRODUCTION EQUITABLE MEMBERSHIP
$75.00 CAD annually

Eligibility:
– Geared towards recipients of Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP), Ontario Works, Employment Insurance (EI) or equivalent
– Proof of confirmation of enrollment in these programs will be requested as part of the application process. Please email us if you are currently unable to provide this documentation.

This membership level is currently not available via our online portal so please email membership@lift.ca to start the application process and for more details on required documents.

Benefits:
– All of the benefits of  the General Equitable Membership Level (see above)
– Ability to rent production equipment and post-production facilities
– Must submit contact information for three (3) character references and cannot be a LIFT staff or Board Member
– As LIFT’s membership is open to anyone regardless of filmmaking experience, references not do have to be film related
– Types of character references may include: teacher/professor, landlord, employer, manager/supervisor of a volunteer organization you worked at, creative colleague for a project you worked on, etc.} References cannot be a family member or a partner/spouse.
– The reference check takes at least ten (10) business days to process

 

ORGANIZATIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
$175.00 CND annually for Level I
$275.00 CND annually for Level II
Those groups with a budget under $1,000,000 are Organization Level I, over $1,000,000 are Organization Level II.

Organizational memberships available for artist-run centres, festivals, art galleries, arts education and training institutions, and other non-profit or charitable organizations. Proof of non-profit or charitable status is required. Unincorporated collectives operating on a not-for-profit basis that receive funding (from one of the three level of Arts Councils) for project grants are also eligible to apply. As per LIFT’s funding mandate, commercial enterprises, film/digital production companies and other for-profit groups are not eligible for organizational memberships.
Benefits:
– Receive the weekly members’ ebulletin via email to all current staff members
– Ability to post unlimited listings in weekly members’ ebulletin of cast and crew calls of organizations’ job listings, events, calls for submissions, etc.
– Discounted rates for current staff members on LIFT seasonal workshops and courses
– Discounts on expendable motion picture items and merchandise in  LIFT Store
– Ability to rent production equipment and post-production facilities
– Staff of Organizational members must join as an individual member for renting for their own projects

*** NOTE: If you need to rent equipment within ten (10) business days, you may want to look at similar centres listed as part of the Independent Media Arts Alliance (IMAA) or Ontario Creates’ Ontario Production Guide for equipment rental companies in the Greater Toronto Area.


INDEPENDENT MEDIA ARTS ACCESS NETWORK (IMAAN)
(Formerly the Visiting Artist Membership)
LIFT provides rentals access at Production Member rates to other filmmakers from other regions of Canada (outside the Greater Toronto Area), who are current members, in good standing, of an Independent Media Arts Alliance (IMAA) member production centre (distribution and presentation centres excluded) Make sure to select ‘Production’ in the Activity Type to view current list of approved centres.
– No other LIFT membership benefits are accessible with the LIFT Visiting Artists Membership.
– IMAAN memberships are valid for the duration of your rental, up to a maximum of eight (8) weeks per calendar year.
– Confirmation of membership level, good standing and a positive reference from your local centre is required prior to extending LIFT rental privileges.
– Once a rental period is completed, any future rentals will require re-application.

Contact membership@lift.ca for details.

 


POSTING IN THE E-BULLETIN
Listings are free for Members and the listing will be featured in our weekly members-only bulletin. See the weekly ebulletin on how to submit your member listing.  Non-members can post as well, but for a fee of $10.00 per post. Email at membership@lift.ca for more information.


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 Deputy Director. 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.