L.A.F.C.O.

L.A.F.C.O. was the Los Angeles Film Co-op, or possibly Los Angeles Film Makers Cooperative, or other such variations, that existed for some amount of time in the early 1970s. The precise name and time span (and a lot of other info!) is yet to be confirmed. NOT to be confused with the identically named/acronymed organization founded in 2001 by Tao Ruspoli.

L.A.F.C.O. was a distributor of 16mm experimental films by Los Angeles filmmakers. I as yet have very little info to share here about L.A.F.C.O., but will update as I learn more. It seems to have existed roughly around 1970-74 at least, maybe a bit longer, and possibly founded by Chick Strand, or at the very least, run by her out of her home address, since the very few extant references I’ve found in some historical documents list the Co-op’s address as 1834 Canyon Dr., LA 90028, which was Chick Strand and her husband Martin Muller’s home address at that time.

I’m not sure how extensive the distribution library was, but some films that were definitely distributed by L.A.F.C.O., based on extant original can labeling I’ve encountered, include:

Marguerite (1971) by Betty Chen

Belladonna (1970-71?) by John Gruenberger
P.S.F. One (1970) by John Gruenberger

Orange (1969) by Karen Johnson
Lizard Mosaic (1970) by Karen Johnson
Hands (1971) by Karen Johnson

The Divine Miracle (1973) by Daina Krumins

Cibernetik 5.3 (1969) by John Stehura

Angel Blue Sweet Wings (1966) by Chick Strand
Anselmo (1967) by Chick Strand
Kulu se Mama (1967) by Chick Strand
Waterfall (1968) by Chick Strand
Mosori Monika (1970) by Chick Strand

This list will also be updated as more information is discovered. Apologies for it being so incomplete and speculative, but I thought it was worth putting something up rather than nothing, especially if anyone stumbles upon this and has additional info to share! Please get in touch if you can illuminate anything further about L.A.F.C.O.!