Marked by steady growth in members, volunteers, and regular film screenings, the 21-year history of the Olympia Film Society (OFS) describes our ascent from a handful of film lovers chipping in to rent films once a month to an organization with over 1500 members. OFS now shows independent, international and classic film year-round, offers special live performances, and produces a nationally recognized film festival.

1980
OFS is formed when a dozen people gather at the old Washington School on Legion Way to watch the first show, The 39 Steps and Foreign Correspondent, a double-feature tribute to the late Alfred Hitchcock.

1981
OFS members show their commitment with a move to Capitol City Studios and the purchase of a 16mm projector.

1984
The first Olympia Film Festival is born and held at the State Theater. OFS membership jumps from 60 to 600.

1986
OFS starts showing films at the historic Capitol Theater, built in 1924. To accompany the silent classic Pandora's Box, Timothy Brock conducts the Olympia Chamber Orchestra's world premiere of his original score.

1988
OFS takes on its first major capital expenditure, purchasing a new 35mm projection system.

1990
OFS finds a home in the Capitol Theater, signing the lease in time for the November Film Festival. ArtsWalk, Olympia's biannual downtown arts festival, is born this year to coincide with the opening of the Olympia Film Festival.

1992
The Northwest Premiere of Disney's Aladdin brings the Olympia Film Festival unprecedented attention.

1993
The production wing of the Olympia Film Society, the Olympia Film Ranch, is founded. The Film Ranch begins providing workshops and equipment rental to OFS members.

1997
Opening night of the OFF14 introduces the first phase of our new Dolby sound system, twelve new JBL surround speakers and a Dolby CP 500 cinema processor. Guests include world-renowned animators The Brothers Quay and cinematographer Michael Spiller.

1998
The After Quartet packs the Capitol Theater with their rousing score to Fritz Lang's Metropolis. OFF15 brings producer Ted Hope, opening night filmmaker Hilary Brougher and, to push the boundaries of independent film, scholar Ray Carney.

1999
The Capitol Theater goes digital, thanks to a generous upgrade in our sound system courtesy of Dolby Digital. OFF16 urges Rick Schmidt (author, Feature Filmmaking at Used Car Prices) to dust off his old 16mm prints for a retrospective that was a favorite with audiences. San Francisco's Sprocket Ensemble performs a feature-length program of their live scores to short contemporary animation. A new print of Orson Welles' The Trial closes our best festival yet.

2000
Ray Carney returns to present a retrospective of the films of Robert Bresson. OFF17 presents its most compre-hensive series of panel discussions and guest seminars. All Freakin' Night breaks the previous records of attendance and bad taste for our classic all-night horror film marathon.

2001
OFS and the Capitol Theater survive a 6.8 earthquake and resume operations after six weeks of repairs. With a completed Dolby system and extensive renovations, OFF18 kicks off with a pre-festival screening of Mulholland Drive and ends with a sold out screening of Amélie.

2002
OFS acquires our very own video projector, broadening opportunities for media exhibition. The OFF19 welcomes underground legends the Kuchar Brothers (John Waters' self-proclaimed single biggest inspiration) for a career retrospective. Bob and David from Mr. Show host a once-in-a-lifetime presentation of one of their guilty pleasures. The fest closes with a crowd pleasing screening of Real Women Have Curves.

2003
Film-lovers, volunteers and sponsors embark on the road to the 20th annual Olympia Film Festival.