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Passes our checks

Newfilmmakers Los Angeles

EIN 26-4286940 · Los Angeles, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood86 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

WORKS BY EMERGING FILMMKAERS FROM AROUND THE WORLD, PROVIDING THE LOSANGELES COMMUNITY OF ENTERTAINMENT PROFESSIONALS AND FILM GOERS WITH ACONSTANT SURGE OF MONTHLY SCREENING EVENTS. NFMLA PROVIDES A FORUMWHERE FILMMAKERS CAN BE RECOGNIZED FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS, HAVE ANOPEN AUDIENCE DISCUSSIONS ABOUT THEIR PROJECTS AND CONNECT WITHINDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS FOR INSIGHT ON DISTRIBUTION, PRODUCTION,ACQUISITION AND REPRESENTATION.

Income
$1.4 million
Spending
$1.0 million
Spent on programs
83%
Reserves
23.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 67%
Employees
6
Highest pay
$179,596, executive direc

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 86 out of 100. Higher than 73% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 23.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 19% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 24% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 22% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    83% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 38% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a 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

    0 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 December 31, 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 (1)
  1. $849,249 spent. In 2025, NewFilmmakers Los Angeles (NFMLA) continued its mission of championing emerging storytellers by supporting over 200 filmmakers representing more than 30 countries. Through its public exhibition programs, NFMLA connected filmmakers with valuable industry resources and professional development opportunities, helping bridge new creative voices with the broader entertainment community. NFMLAs year-round film festival programming remained a vibrant cultural gathering in Los Angeles, showcasing innovative independent films while fostering meaningful conversations between audiences and the artists, producers, and creative professionals behind the work. These events provided filmmakers with opportunities to present their projects, engage directly with audiences, and build relationships with industry leaders. Beyond screenings, NFMLA expanded its impact through initiatives designed to support the next generation of storytellers. The organization awarded financial grants to emerging filmmakers developing new work, continued its STARZ #TakeTheLead TV Writers Intensive to help writers advance their careers in television, and invested in youth and education by serving more than 190 Los Angeles County high school students and providing educational programming for over 450 college students across the region. NFMLA also extended its reach beyond Los Angeles, participating in industry programming and partnerships in MinneapolisSaint Paul, Mar del Plata (Argentina), and at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, among other locations. Through these efforts, NFMLA strengthened its role as a bridge between Los Angeles entertainment ecosystem and the global filmmaking community, creating opportunities for emerging filmmakers to develop their craft, build professional networks, and bring new stories to audiences.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    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 December 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 October 2009.

    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.