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Dallas Film Society Inc

EIN 20-4849503 · Dallas, TX

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak33 out of 100GovernanceGood76 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It owes more than it owns.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

Dallas Film Society's mission is to celebrate films and their impact on society, to honor filmmakers and recognize their achievements and contributions to enhancing the creative community and to provide educational programs to develop a better understanding of the role of film in today's world and to promote the City of Dallas and its commitment to the art of filmmaking.

Income
$454,327
Spending
$472,008
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
-1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 45%
Employees
1
Volunteers
100
Highest pay
$100,000, chief executive officer & board member

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 33 out of 100. Higher than 6% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    0 of 20

    It owes 160% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 0% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    87% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 13 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 76 out of 100. Higher than 57% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 12 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (3)
  1. $375,076 spent. Founded in 2006, the Dallas Film Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization sustained by more than 20,000 supporters, volunteers, corporations, grants, and individual donors. We lead multiple educational initiatives to mentor excellence in film, television and digital media. And we proudly support filmmakers, theatres and film organizations locally and globally. The Dallas International Film Festival is held annually. During the Film Festival, Dallas comes together to celebrate film and filmmakers. The Dallas International Film Festival has become the place for storytellers and audiences to connect and experience film as a community. and experience film as a community. Since its founding, the Dallas Film Society has screened more than 2,500 widely diverse new films from more than 100 countries, provided more than $1.1 million in awards, hosted nearly 100,000 filmgoers and filmmakers, and provided educational experiences for thousands of Dallas area students.
  2. $3,971 spent. DIFF INSIDE FILM is an educational talk series featuring film screenings followed by conversations with directors, producers, screenwriters, actors, and other film industry professionals. Working with our established network of educators throughout North Texas, the screenings are offered to students at no charge. The DIFF INSIDE FILM program is designed to give students first-hand access to insights from film industry insiders to guide their path toward career success in film-related professions. The series features guest speakers and panelists with international, national, regional and local filmmaking backgrounds and experiences. Screenings and Q&As are curated and moderated by DIFF Artistic Director James Faust, who has provided programming leadership to the Dallas International Film Festival since its inception.
  3. $31,339 spent. The DIFF SHORTS Film Festival is a dedicated celebration of short-form storytelling and cinematic innovation. It serves as a global platform for emerging and established filmmakers to showcase diverse perspectives in a compact, high-impact format. The festival typically features around 12 to 14 themed blocks showcasing over 80 films, ranging from student works to professional productions. The lineup includes narrative shorts, documentaries, animated films, music videos, and horror/late-night thrills. Beyond screenings, the event includes Q&A sessions, industry panels, filmmaker receptions, and daily red carpets to foster connections between creators and the community.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Worth knowing.

    Status was revoked on November 15, 2018 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on November 15, 2018.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since February 2020.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.