Only two Federations existed at this time, from Victoria and NSW, but individual societies were represented from Queensland, ACT and Tasmania.
The early issues which motivated ACOFS members were censorship, UNESCO ideals, sales tax on 16mm films and acquisition of suitable titles.
The inaugural meeting of ACOFS was chaired by John Heyer the notable documentary film maker.
Barrie had been a campaigner for foundation of the National Film and Sound Archive and was a member of its first Advisory Committee from 1984.
John Turner became Treasurer of ACOFS in 1974 and remained in that position for 25 years, taking over from Barrie King as President in 1999 until the present (2008).
At the 2022 AGM, the newly elected executive committee was: President: Prodos S N Marinakis (QLD/VIC) Vice President: Mark Horner (TAS) Secretary: Jason Lockwood (NSW) Treasurer: Kerry McKinnon (QLD) ACOFS itself provides publicity, education and information, but its main role is to keep the film society movement to the forefront when government policy and self-interest pushes the many non-commercial, fragmented Australian film bodies to the fore.