NewFilmmakers Los Angeles builds a thriving independent film community with Join It

Championing diverse voices in film

NewFilmmakers Los Angeles (NFMLA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting independent filmmakers and storytellers from around the globe. Known for its flagship Monthly Film Festival, NFMLA also runs grant programs, mentorships, internships, and career development labs that give underrepresented creators a platform to grow.

Recognized by MovieMaker Magazine as one of the Top 50 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee and consistently rated in the Top 10 Film Festivals on FilmFreeway, NFMLA has become a vital force in Los Angeles’ cultural landscape. Its work has also been featured by the LA Times, Forbes, Hollywood Reporter, and Deadline.

With a growing audience of more than 2,900 members, NFMLA needed a simple way to manage memberships, collect payments, and stay connected with its passionate community.

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The challenge: managing growth without losing connection

By 2019, NFMLA’s membership program was gaining momentum. Filmmakers and supporters were signing up to access exclusive screenings, networking events, and grant opportunities.

But managing members manually risked becoming a burden. Tracking renewals, processing payments, and keeping communication consistent were all areas where efficiency mattered. As George Gomez, NFMLA’s Programs & Operations Manager, explained:

“We wanted a way to keep track of members and payments, monitor growth, and still make time for one-to-one communication. That’s why we chose Join It, and we’ve had no reason to switch since.”

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The solution: a reliable membership hub

NFMLA has used Join It since 2019 as the central hub for its membership program. The platform helps NFMLA:

• Simplify membership management – Track payments, renewals, and member activity in one place.
  
• Support community engagement – Use memberships not just for event access but also as part of submissions to NFMLA’s grant and career development programs.
  
• Save time with event integrations – Through Join It’s Eventbrite integration, NFMLA can easily track attendance at its virtual events.
  
  

George highlights the value of Join It in maintaining community ties:

“Members often come up to me at festivals saying, ‘Oh, you’re George, the one who emails me about all the events through Join It.’ The platform has really helped foster our independent filmmaking community and keep it connected.”

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The impact: steady membership and stronger community

Membership creates a direct way for audiences to support independent films and filmmakers through engagement and community building.

The membership base typically ranges between 1,400–1,700 active members, with spikes during major program launches or sponsorship initiatives. Each member helps sustain NFMLA’s ability to champion the next generation of storytellers.

Customer support has also been a highlight:

“The most I’ve ever waited for a response was 30 minutes. Issues get resolved quickly, and the support chat makes it easy to keep track of conversations.”

Spotlight: Recognition in the film industry

NFMLA’s commitment to uplifting diverse storytellers has earned recognition well beyond its own community. The organization has been:

• Named one of the Top 50 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee by MovieMaker Magazine.
  
• Named one of the Top 10 Best Film Festivals in the US by USA Today.
  
• Consistently ranked among the Top 10 Film Festivals on FilmFreeway, alongside global festivals such as Sundance, Tribeca, and Cannes.
  
• Featured in leading outlets including the LA Times, Forbes, Hollywood Reporter, and Deadline.
  

These accolades underline NFMLA’s growing influence as not just a festival, but a cultural hub for emerging talent.

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Looking ahead

NFMLA continues to expand its programming, including diversity-driven initiatives like InFocus. The team is exploring new ways to use Join It’s features, such as digital membership cards for faster check-ins at in-person events.

George sees Join It as an essential partner:

“I definitely recommend it to other arts organizations. If you’re constantly putting on events and programs, it makes membership easy to manage and helps build your community.”

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Organization snapshot

• Name: NewFilmmakers Los Angeles (NFMLA)
  
• Location: Los Angeles, CA
  
• Memberships: 2,906
  
• Founded: 2007
  
• Using Join It since: 2019
  
• Website: https://www.nfmla.org
  
  

Key takeaways

• Join It helps NFMLA track members, payments, and renewals with ease.
  
• The platform supports both regular event-goers and filmmakers applying to grants and labs.
  
• Membership has grown steadily, creating a direct channel of support for NFMLA’s mission.
  
• Quick, reliable customer service keeps NFMLA confident in its choice.

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Feel free to explore our other success stories or take the opportunity to create a free account and experience it firsthand.

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