efile Public Visual Render
Submission Date - 2017-07-20
TIN: 27-4273918
Form
990-EZ
Department of the Treasury
Internal Revenue Service
Short Form
Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax
Under section 501(c), 527, or 4947(a)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code (except private foundations)
Do not enter social security numbers on this form as it may be made public.
Information about Form 990-EZ and its instructions is at
www.irs.gov/form990
.
OMB No. 1545-1150
20
16
Open to Public
Inspection
A
For the 2016 calendar year, or tax year beginning
01-01-2016
, and ending
12-31-2016
B
Check if applicable:
Address change
Name change
Initial return
Final return/terminated
Amended return
Application pending
C
Name of organization
Americas Media Initiative NFP
Number and street (or P. O. box, if mail is not delivered to street address)
4750 N Sheridan Road
Room/suite
City or town, state or province, country, and ZIP or foreign postal code
Chicago
,
IL
60640
D Employer identification number
27-4273918
E
Telephone number
(312) 282-0135
F
Group Exemption
Number
G
Accounting Method:
Cash
Accrual
Other (specify)
H
Check
required to attach Schedule B
(Form 990, 990-EZ, or 990-PF).
I Website:
www.americasmediainitiative.org
J Tax-exempt status
(check only one) -
501(c)(3)
501(c)
(
)
(insert no.)
4947(a)(1)
or
527
K
Form of organization:
Corporation
Trust
Association
Other
L
Add lines 5b, 6c, and 7b to line 9 to determine gross receipts. If gross receipts are $200,000 or more, or if total assets (Part II, column (B) below) are $500,000 or more, file Form 990 instead of Form 990-EZ
...........................
$
112,682
Part I
Revenue, Expenses, and Changes in Net Assets or Fund Balances
(see the instructions for Part I)
Check if the organization used Schedule O to respond to any question in this Part I
.....................
1
Contributions, gifts, grants, and similar amounts received
....................
1
104,840
2
Program service revenue including government fees and contracts
...............
2
3,900
3
Membership dues and assessments
...........................
3
4
Investment income
...........................
4
5a
Gross amount from sale of assets other than inventory
.....
5a
b
Less: cost or other basis and sales expenses
.......
5b
0
c
Gain or (loss) from sale of assets other than inventory (Subtract line 5b from line 5a)
......
5c
6
Gaming and fundraising events
a
Gross income from gaming (attach Schedule G if greater than $15,000)
6a
b
Gross income from fundraising events (not including $
of contributions from fundraising events reported on line 1) (attach Schedule G if the
sum of such gross income and contributions exceeds $15,000)
..
6b
0
c
Less: direct expenses from gaming and fundraising events
...
6c
0
d
Net income or (loss) from gaming and fundraising events (add lines 6a and 6b and subtract line 6c)
6d
7a
Gross sales of inventory, less returns and allowances
......
7a
3,942
b
Less: cost of goods sold
.............
7b
8,011
c
Gross profit or (loss) from sales of inventory (Subtract line 7b from line 7a)
.........
7c
-4,069
8
Other revenue (describe in Schedule O)
..........
8
9
Total revenue.
Add lines 1, 2, 3, 4, 5c, 6d, 7c, and 8
..............
9
104,671
10
Grants and similar amounts paid (list in Schedule O)
............
10
11
Benefits paid to or for members
................
11
12
Salaries, other compensation, and employee benefits
................
12
48,734
13
Professional fees and other payments to independent contractors
............
13
25,538
14
Occupancy, rent, utilities, and maintenance
...................
14
4,300
15
Printing, publications, postage, and shipping
..............
15
1,467
16
Other expenses (describe in Schedule O)
..............
16
26,972
17
Total expenses.
Add lines 10 through 16
..............
17
107,011
18
Excess or (deficit) for the year (Subtract line 17 from line 9)
............
18
-2,340
19
Net assets or fund balances at beginning of year (from line 27, column (A)) (must agree with
end-of-year figure reported on prior years return)
............
19
11,888
20
Other changes in net assets or fund balances (explain in Schedule O)
..........
20
21
Net assets or fund balances at end of year. Combine lines 18 through 20
.......
21
9,548
For Paperwork Reduction Act Notice, see the separate instructions.
Cat. No. 10642I
Form
990-EZ
(2016)
Form 990-EZ (2016)
Page
2
Part II
Balance Sheets
(see the instructions for Part II)
Check if the organization used Schedule O to respond to any question in this Part II
.................
(A)
Beginning of year
(B)
End of year
22
Cash, savings, and investments
................
12,690
22
8,816
23
Land and buildings
....................
23
24
Other assets (describe in Schedule O)
..........
3,158
24
3,062
25
Total assets
......................
15,848
25
11,878
26
Total liabilities
(describe in Schedule O)
.............
3,960
26
2,330
27
Net assets or fund balances
(line 27 of column (B)
must
agree with line 21)
11,888
27
9,548
Part III
Statement of Program Service Accomplishments
(see the instructions for Part III)
Check if the organization used Schedule O to respond to any question in this Part III
.
.
Expenses
(Required for section 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) organizations; optional for others.)
What is the organization's primary exempt purpose?
AMI is focused on the distribution of independent and community media from Cuba and developing cultural exchange projects between Cuban and US citizens. AMI is playing an important role both in Cuba and the US. In Cuba AMI is providing young, emerging filmmakers with an educational distributor that is marketing their work in the US and providing them with an income from the sales. In the US, AMI is making this independent work available to universities and individuals who previously could only access this material through direct contact with the filmmakers or pirated copies.
Describe the organizations program service accomplishments for each of its three largest program services, as measured by expenses. In a clear and concise manner, describe the services provided, the number of persons benefited, and other relevant information for each program title.
28
DistributionAMI now has 14 films in its Cuba DVD catalogue; a distribution collaboration with Icarus Films has increased our visibility in both cultural and academic spheres. Since we began our collaboration with Icarus Films in 2013, 37 film festivals both national and international have requested screeners of films from the AMI Cuba catalogue.In 2016, AMI released the new documentary, CDIGO COLOR, MEMORIAS (COLOR CODE, MEMORIES), via our distribution collaboration with Icarus Films. CDIGO COLOR, MEMORIAS (COLOR CODE, MEMORIES), explores the complex issue of racism through the memories of the picturesque city of Santiago de Cuba. CDIGO COLOR was initially made for Cuban youth who are unfamiliar with the history of racism in pre-revolutionary Cuba. The film is meant to be a catalyst to provoke discussions about the racism of the past and how this past still affects contemporary Cuba.Seven film festivals requested screeners for their festivals from the AMI Cuba catalog the first three quarters of 2016. A number of journals also requested screeners for reviews, such as the Journal of Latin American and Caribbean Studies.
(Grants $
26,764
)
If this amount includes foreign grants, check here
...
28a
29
TouringIn January 2016, AMI organized our first delegation to Cuba, Inside Contemporary Cuban Film that focused on current trends in contemporary Cuban filmmaking. Because of AMIs close working relationships with many filmmakers, delegates were able to meet one on one with documentary and fiction filmmakers, producers and animators, and attend special screenings of their work. One of the delegation participants was at the time Director of the Baton Rouge Film Commission. Because of this connection AMI was able to organize a Cuban animation tour last November that brought representatives of two of Cubas most important independent animation groups, OOo Productions, based in Havana, and Oniroma, based in Santa Clara to Baton Rouge. The tour was funded in part by the City of Baton Rouge. The tour screened animations and engaged with students and professors at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge and Tulane University in New Orleans.In March 2016, AMI as part of our on-going Closing Distances/Cerrando Distancias Documentary Film Tours, collaborated with Cubas largest youth cultural association, The Hermanos Saz Association, to bring U.S. documentary filmmaker and radio journalist, Andrs Caballero and his film, Guacho del Norte about a Chilean sheep herder working on a sheep farm in an isolated part of Utah. Closing Distances visited remote communities in the Escambray Mountains and the Cienaga de Zapata, as well as audiences in the coastal community of Caibarien, Santa Clara and the University of Matanzas. Last October, AMI invited Daniel Diaz, producer for feature filmmaker Fernando Perez, to Vermont in October to screen a selection of Mr. Perezs films at the Vermont International Film Festival and Middlebury College. AMI also organized a best of program from the last 16 years of the Muestra Joven (Young Directors Film Festival) that included animations, fictions and documentaries that was screened at both venues as well. All three screenings at VTIFF were well attended with extensive Q&As afterward. This was Mr. Diazs first trip to the U.S.
(Grants $
44,981
)
If this amount includes foreign grants, check here
...
29a
30
ProductionIn April 2016, AMI awarded our Closing Distances film prizes at the Haciendo Cine section of the Muestra Joven Film Festival. The prizes went to Lzaro Gonzlez for his documentary, Villa Rosa, and Gabriela Leal Carranza, part of the Oniroma animation group, for her animation, Quieres venir conmigo? (Want to come with me?). In 2016, AMI also supported two local, fledgling media initiatives in the provinces, both of which have seen success over the last year. Cmara Chica, a youth media project based in La Conchita, Pinar de Ro province is now part of a video postcard exchange project coordinated by AMI with students in Baton Rouge, LA. El Callejn de los Milagros (Alley of Miracles) is a cyber literacy project started by the film and culture critic, Juan Antonio Garcia in Camaguey. AMI bought a new laptop and donated funds for internet access to support Juan Antonio as he set up the new project that was inaugurated last October. The Callejn is coordinated by the Office of the City Historian and the Ministry of Culture and is the only site in Cuba where Cuban citizens can access free Wi-Fi. In one of the first collaborations of its kind between a U.S educational institution and independent Cuban filmmakers, AMI partnered with Dartmouth College and produced five short documentaries about sustainable agriculture in Cuba. The five shorts were produced with an all-Cuban crew for Elementa an open source academic website with wide global reach.
(Grants $
16,347
)
If this amount includes foreign grants, check here
...
30a
31
Other program services (describe in Schedule O)
................
(Grants $
)
If this amount includes foreign grants, check here
...
31a
32 Total program service expenses
(add lines 28a through 31a)
..........
32
88,092
Part IV
List of Officers, Directors, Trustees, and Key Employees
(list each one even if not compensated see the instructions for Part IV)
Check if the organization used Schedule O to respond to any question in this Part IV
............
(a)
Name and title
(b)
Average
hours per week
devoted to position
(c)
Reportable compensation
(Forms W-2/1099-MISC)
(if not paid, enter -0-)
(d)
Health benefits, contributions to employee benefit plans, and
deferred compensation
(e)
Estimated amount
of other compensation
Alexandra Halkin
Executive Dir.
40.00
40,000
1,799
Clemencia Rodriguez
Director
2.00
0
Ruth Goldberg
Director
0
0
Jesus Hernandez
Director
0
0
Catherine Murphy
Treasurer
0
0
Deb Ellis
Director
0
0
Isabel Alfonso
Director
0
0
Andrs Caballero
Director
0
0
Form
990-EZ
(2016)
Form 990-EZ (2016)
Page
3
Part V
Other Information
(Note the Schedule A and personal benefit contract statement requirements in the
instructions for Part V.) Check if the organization used Schedule O to respond to any question in this Part V
.......
Yes
No
33
Did the organization engage in any significant activity not previously reported to the IRS? If "Yes," provide a
detailed description of each activity in Schedule O
...................
33
No
34
Were any significant changes made to the organizing or governing documents? If "Yes," attach a conformed copy
of the amended documents if they reflect a change to the organizations name. Otherwise, explain the change
on Schedule O (see instructions)
..........................
34
No
35a
Did the organization have unrelated business gross income of $1,000 or more during the year from business
activities (such as those reported on lines 2, 6a, and 7a, among others)?
............
35a
No
b
If "Yes," to line 35a, has the organization filed a Form 990-T for the year? If "No," provide
an explanation in Schedule O
35b
No
c
Was the organization a section 501(c)(4), 501(c)(5), or 501(c)(6) organization subject to section 6033(e)
notice, reporting, and proxy tax requirements during the year? If "Yes," complete Schedule C, Part III
35c
No
36
Did the organization undergo a liquidation, dissolution, termination, or significant disposition of net assets during
the year? If Yes," complete applicable parts of Schedule N
................
36
No
37a
Enter amount of political expenditures, direct or indirect, as described in the instructions.
37a
b
Did the organization file
Form 1120-POL
for this year?
...................
37b
No
38a
Did the organization borrow from, or make any loans to, any officer, director, trustee, or key employee
or
were
any such loans made in a prior year and still outstanding at the end of the tax year covered by this return?
..
38a
No
b
If Yes," complete Schedule L, Part II and enter the total amount involved
.
38b
39
Section 501(c)(7) organizations. Enter:
a
Initiation fees and capital contributions included on line 9
.......
39a
0
b
Gross receipts, included on line 9, for public use of club facilities
.....
39b
0
40a
Section 501(c)(3) organizations. Enter amount of tax imposed on the organization during the year under:
section 4911
; section 4912
; section 4955
b
Section 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), and 501(c)(29) organizations. Did the organization engage in any section 4958
excess benefit transaction during the year, or did it engage in an excess benefit transaction in a prior year that
has not been reported on any of its prior Forms 990 or 990-EZ? If Yes," complete Schedule L, Part I
40b
No
c
Section 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), and 501(c)(29) organizations. Enter amount of tax imposed on organization
managers or disqualified persons during the year under sections
4912, 4955, and 4958
d
Section 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), and 501(c)(29) organizations. Enter amount of tax on line 40c reimbursed
by the organization
e
All organizations. At any time during the tax year, was the organization a party to a prohibited tax shelter
transaction? If "Yes," complete Form 8886-T
................
40e
No
41
List the states with which a copy of this return is filed.
IL
42a
The organization's books are in care of
Alex Halkin
Telephone no.
(312) 282-0135
Located at
3906 W Argyle St Apt 2B
Chicago
,
IL
ZIP + 4
60625
b
At any time during the calendar year, did the organization have an interest in or a signature or other authority over a financial account in a foreign country (such as a bank account, securities account, or other financial account)?
Yes
No
42b
No
If Yes," enter the name of the foreign country:
See the instructions for exceptions and filing requirements for
FinCEN Form 114, Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR)
c
At any time during the calendar year, did the organization maintain an office outside the U.S.?
.
.
.
42c
No
If Yes," enter the name of the foreign country:
43
Section 4947(a)(1) nonexempt charitable trusts filing Form 990-EZ in lieu of
Form 1041 -
Check here
......
and enter the amount of tax-exempt interest received or accrued during the tax year
....
43
Yes
No
44a
Did the organization maintain any donor advised funds during the year? If "Yes," Form 990 must be completed instead
of Form 990-EZ
.............................
44a
No
b
Did the organization operate one or more hospital facilities during the year? If "Yes," Form 990 must be completed
instead of Form 990-EZ
.............................
44b
No
c
Did the organization receive any payments for indoor tanning services during the year?
.........
44c
No
d
If "Yes," to line 44c, has the organization filed a Form 720 to report these payments?
If "No," provide an
explanation in Schedule O
............................
44d
No
45a
Did the organization have a controlled entity within the meaning of section 512(b)(13)?
.........
45a
No
45b
Did the organization receive any payment from or engage in any transaction with a controlled entity within the meaning of section 512(b)(13)? If "Yes," Form 990 and Schedule R may need to be completed instead of
Form 990-EZ (see instructions)
......................
45b
No
Form
990-EZ
(2016)
Form 990-EZ (2016)
Page
4
Yes
No
46
Did the organization engage, directly or indirectly, in political campaign activities on behalf of or in opposition to
candidates for public office? If Yes," complete Schedule C, Part I.
...........
46
No
Part VI
Section 501(c)(3) organizations only
All section 501(c)(3) organizations must answer questions 47-49b and 52, and complete the tables for lines 50 and 51.
Check if the organization used Schedule O to respond to any question in this Part VI
..................
Yes
No
47
Did the organization engage in lobbying activities or have a section 501(h) election in effect during the tax year?
If "Yes," complete Schedule C, Part II
.......................
47
No
48
Is the organization a school as described in section 170(b)(1)(A)(ii)?
If "Yes," complete Schedule E
..
48
No
49a
Did the organization make any transfers to an exempt non-charitable related organization?
......
49a
No
b
If "Yes," was the related organization a section 527 organization?
................
49b
No
50
Complete this table for the organization's five highest compensated employees (other than officers, directors, trustees and key employees) who each received more than $100,000 of compensation from the organization. If there is none, enter "None."
(a)
Name and title of each employee
(b)
Average
hours per week
devoted to position
(c)
Reportable compensation
(Forms W-2/1099-MISC)
(d)
Health benefits, contributions to employee benefit plans, and deferred compensation
(e)
Estimated amount of other compensation
NONE
f
Total number of other employees paid over $100,000
.............
51
Complete this table for the organization's five highest compensated independent contractors who each received more than $100,000 of compensation from the organization. If there is none, enter "None."
(a)
Name and business address of each independent contractor
(b)
Type of service
(c)
Compensation
NONE
d
Total number of other independent contractors each receiving over $100,000
..........
52
Did the organization complete Schedule A?
NOTE.
All Section 501(c)(3) organizations must attach a
completed Schedule A
........................................
Yes
No
Under penalties of perjury, I declare that I have examined this return, including accompanying schedules and statements, and to the best of my knowledge and belief, it is true, correct, and complete. Declaration of preparer (other than officer) is based on all information of which preparer has any knowledge.
Sign Here
2017-07-20
Signature of officer
Date
Alex Halkin
Executive Dir.
Type or print name and title
Paid Preparer Use Only
Print/Type preparer's name
Colleen L Montgomery CPA
Preparer's signature
Date
Check
if
self-employed
PTIN
P00038392
Firm's name
Montgomery & Granai PC
Firm's EIN
Firm's address
110 Main Street
Burlington
,
VT
054018451
Phone no.
(802) 864-6565
May the IRS discuss this return with the preparer shown above? See instructions
.........
Yes
No
Form
990-EZ
(2016)
Additional Data
Software ID:
16000303
Software Version:
2016v3.0
Form 990-EZ, Special Condition Description:
Special Condition Description