The TriFilm Society is an organization I started in 2009.
At the time, I was working on my first feature-length film and needed a lot of help.
Along the way, I kept meeting all of these amazing people, and few of them knew one another. The film scene was vibrant, but tough to access at the time. It felt a little underground but people were here working and doing their thing.
To repay many favors I owed, I organized an event.
It was an evening where we could all get together for drinks. It was really informal. We used the hashtag #TriFilm to bring everyone together for the first time. It was open to anyone who wanted to have a drink and talk about filmmaking.
And, yes, I took some photos of our first gathering with a pink Blackberry Pearl. (It’s crazy-awesome that I can shoot 4k video on my phone now.)
Ajit and Jim talk at one of the first TriFilm socials.
The social seemed to be a hit, so I kept doing it.
We met at bars and breweries in the early days, where everyone could pick up their own tab. It was really informal and a lot of fun.
The TriFilm logo circa 2009.
Over the years, some things have changed and others have stayed the same. Our name is still TriFilm and our socials are still a chill way to spend time with filmmakers.
Current TriFilm branding.
My sincerest wish is that the TriFilm Society will continue to see strategic, organic growth in the coming years. I have a vision for where we’re heading and it’s really beautiful. It means a stronger, more visible, and more sustainable film/video community here in the Triangle.
The TriFilm Society is much bigger than I am.
Here’s video of our 2016 summer social, shot and edited by Andrew Kennedy. I’m so thankful for his work in capturing what happens at a social, in hopes that you’ll come experience it for yourself.
It also helps me explain to family members what I do!