In 1996, Jubilee founder Fred Andrews recognized that Kansas City had an active and growing filmmaking community. He had been developing the monthly programs for the Film Society of Greater Kansas City and had featured the work of two KC filmmakers one month to an enthusiastic audience. However there were few venues for filmmakers to show their work and fewer opportunities to hone their craft. Having never attended a film festival, Andrews took action.

Still with the Film Society of Greater Kansas City, Andrews announced the creation of the Jubilee as a collaboration of the Film Society along with UMKC, the Kansas City Art Institute and Independent Filmmakers Coalition as partners. He distributed flyers to local filmmakers and students, inviting them to send entries to the first Kansas City Filmmakers Jubilee. Twenty-seven Kansas City filmmakers submitted entries. Their entry fees, totaling $270, was his budget for operations.

Ten short films were selected by the jury to be shown one sunny April afternoon in 1997 in Royall Hall on the UMKC campus. The sum total of that year’s marketing effort was an article on the screening by Robert Butler in the Kansas City Star and word of mouth by the filmmakers being showcased. As a result, more than 450 people jammed the screening. Filmmakers pronounced the Jubilee a success and urged Andrews to hold another festival the next year. Asked what they wanted in a festival, the filmmakers responded that prizes and guest filmmakers from whom they could glean information and contacts.

The all-volunteer Kansas City Filmmakers Jubilee has grown steadily, guided by the continuing leadership of its founder, the filmmakers themselves, and the Jubilee’s volunteer Board of Directors. The Jubilee received its 501(c)(3) designation in June of 1998 and a DonorEdge profile is available to prospective contributors. Since 1997 the Jubilee has received thousands of entries from all over thye world, 470 were submitted for the 2007 festival. More than $200,000 in cash and prizes have been awarded. More than 200 visiting film professionals have come to Kansas City to share their work and experiences. Highlights include:

1998 – Second year, received 67 entries, awarded $10,000 in prizes, and had two guest filmmakers presenting work.

1998 – Indy Film Showcase was started as a monthly screening series of new independent, low budget, feature films with the filmmaker in attendance. More than 60 films were screened during its seven year run with more than 70 filmmakers hosting their work.

1999 – Added a US / International Division for short films to provide local filmmakers the opportunity to see what their competition is as they started to submit their work to festivals outside the KC area. First final jury composed of nationally recognised film professionals.

1999 - National Advisory Board was created.

2002 – Crosscut: Women Making Movies symposium was added to festival as a sidebar event that showcases the accomplishments of women in media so as to inspire women in KC to enter the field.

The Jubilee is now the sum of many parts. It is:

• An annual, juried film festival featuring 100+ local, regional, national and international films. Traditionally the festival is held in April each year and the general movie-going public is encouraged to attend the screenings.
• A chance for filmmakers to win recognition. Filmmakers have the chance to show their work to real audiences at the Jubilee.
• A chance for filmmakers to win prizes. More than $200,000 in cash & prizes have been awarded since 1997. In 2007, a $5,000 cash prize will be awarded for the “Best of Fest Short Film”. The top student film will win a $1000 cash prize sponsored Students from UMKC, Avila University , KU and the KC Art Institute have the chance to receive a $1000.00 cash prize for Best Student Film.
• The opportunity for filmmakers to learn and hone their skills, through panels and workshops offered during the festival and throughout the year.
• A chance to meet and learn from successful filmmakers who come to Kansas City to judge the Jubilee films and speak at events. In its 11-year history, the Jubilee has brought in more than 200 top filmmakers from around the world to share their work and their insights on filmmaking
• An annual symposium, Crosscut: Women Making Movies, An annual event called “CinemaJAZZ,” representing a collaboration with the American Jazz Museum and Mutual Musicians Foundation that unites the heartbeat of KC with a storytelling medium to capture KC’s jazz heritage.
• Master Classes providing hands-on training with industry professionals for students, professionals and aspiring artists. It is estimated that more than 2,500 people are involved in media arts in our area.

At the heart of the all-volunteer Kansas City Filmmakers Jubilee are vital working collaborations with a wide range of partners, including:

• Avila University 
• Film Society of Greater Kansas City
• Independent Filmmakers Coalition 
• Kansas City Art Institute 
• University of Missouri Kansas City