Olympia Film Society

Film is a vital part of our Culture – sometimes Window , sometimes Mirror ; sometimes clear, simple and stark; sometimes subtle, complex and mysterious.

As a medium of Art and Entertainment , film has roots in both the Past and Present , and the insights of contemporary Audience . We are Cinephiles from the South Puget Sound area, interested in expanding our Engagement with film and in developing our Insights into Filmmaking and Filmmakers . We have therefore joined together, forming the Olympia Film Society, to extend and share our Understanding and Enjoyment of the cinematic arts. Our Mission is to enhance film appreciation within the Community by promoting alternative films and by aiding and encouraging the development of allied arts.

• To enrich the Cultural Resources of the South Puget Sound area by broadening Access to film;


• To encourage a deeper understanding of the film medium among ourselves and in the broader community;


• To facilitate diverse avenues of engagement with filmmakers and filmmaking, reflecting the diverse interests of the membership;


• To maintain high Standards of Participatory Decision-making and Fiscal Accountability in keeping with the cooperative nature of our Association , and our status as a nonprofit cultural and educational Corporation ;


• To promote the Spirit of an active volunteer Society among the Membership ; and


• To unite and educate by enlisting the power of film and the allied arts to illuminate the intricacies of diverse cultures, the Natural World and the Human condition.

• 1980: OFS forms when a dozen People gather to at the old Washington School on Legion Way to watch the first show, “The 39 Steps” and “Foreign Correspondent,” a double-feature Tribute to Alfred Hitchcock .


• 1981: OFS moves to Capitol City Studios and purchases 16-millimeter Projector .


• 1984: The Olympia Film Festival is born, taking place at the State Theater . OFS membership jumps from 60 to 600.


• 1986: OFS starts showing films at the Capitol Theater , built in 1924. To accompany the Silent Classic “Pandora’s Box,” Tim Brock conducts the Olympia Chamber Orchestra’s world Premiere of his original Score .


• 1988: OFS takes on its first major Capital Expenditure to buy a new 35-millimeter projection system.


• August 2007: OFS fires Operations Manager Jeffrey Bartone, 21 year veteran of the film society. Questions about the validity of the process cause the majority of the volunteer projectionists, as well as many others, to walk out.

• OFS Web site


• OFS Volunteers Web site