Art Radio International renegotiated the terms of its lease of the Clocktower Gallery with MoMA recently, consequently terminating their sublease with The Film-Maker’s Co-op (FMC) . Founded nearly 50 years ago, FMC is one of the longest-running distributors of experimental and independent film in the world, its offices operating in the same building since 2000. The organization houses thousands of 16mm prints, many of them unique and irreplaceable including those by Stan Brakhage, Paul Sharits, Carolee Schneeman, Tony Conrad, Hollis Frampton, Jennifer Reeves, Jack Smith, Ken Jacobs, Peggy Ahwesh, Joyce Wieland, Michael Snow, Maya Deren, Marie Menken, Jonas Mekas, Shirley Clarke, Martha Colburn, Leslie Thornton, and literally hundreds of other artists, as well as an invaluable paper archive of letters, program notes and other materials. According to sources moving these fragile prints will take thousands of dollars the Co-op simply can’t afford.

Now, losing a lease is never good news, but it certainly can’t help that Art Radio International went from having included the organization in the floor plans of the lease negotiations with MoMA to deciding there was no longer space for the organization and demanding they vacate their offices within a few days of having been notified. Sources tell me they have responded to none of FMC’s emails, a move likely to dissolve a 9 year working relationship.

Meanwhile, the Co-Op has sent out a newsletter to members alerting them to the situation. FMC is appealing to the Department of Cultural Affairs Commissioner Kate D. Levin for support either in the form of remaining in the current building either or to moving to another, affordable city space.

The Co-op represents over 700 independent filmmakers, and is an invaluable resource the filmmaking community can not afford to lose. To express your support for Independent film and write to Kate D. Levin directly at http://www.nyc.gov/html/mail/html/maildcla.html. The FMC Urgent Update email begins after the jump.