Neighborhood Nonprofit Spotlight: Ray Robison, Southern Oregon Film Festival

Patch talks to Ray about the interesting work he's doing with the Southern Oregon Film Festival.

Patch: Tell Patch a little about you and your organization!

Ray: I am an independent filmmaker living in the Rogue Valley of Southern Oregon. I spent the first 15 years of my career making television commercials but have devoted myself to directing narrative films over the past 12 years. I joined Southern Oregon Film and Media at it inception and a couple years later joined the board. I've been president of the board of SOFaM for the past 5 years. SOFaM in a nonprofit trade association for the film/television/media industry in Southern Oregon.

Patch: How does your organization help to strengthen the local community?

Ray: Our efforts are to nurture film/television/media production in the region. We create networking opportunities for our members and strive to bring film production in to the area which helps to strengthen the local economy.

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Patch: When did you open?

Ray: I have a bachelors degree in Motion Picture Production. I began my first job making TV commercials in 1982. SOFaM started up about 10 years ago but it wasn't until 2007 that it was registered with the state as an official nonprofit.

Patch: What is the biggest struggle your organization faces?

Ray: I hope the organization remains as an association of professional film/television/media production businesses and individuals. In my opinion the previous organization SOFVA (Southern Oregon Film & Video Association) met its demise because its membership become too diluted with people who wanted to work in the industry but did not have the professional experience.

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