IFF is not a religious organisation: it is a Community Interest Company that allows space for discussion, learning and screening films.
IFF continues to expand into new areas of work outside the Festival itself: expansion of awards; education events; Insight Annual Lectures; workshops; curation projects; and participation within other film festivals and other relevant events to screen an Insight strand.
Venue, Nexus Arts Cafe Manchester (2007) The Festival was launched in 2007 as an initiative of religious and education television producer John Forrest with the support and encouragement of the Centre for Screen Studies at the University of Manchester, through the personal involvement of Dr David Butler and other media practitioners from the Centre.
The 2nd IFF was the first to encourage filmmakers around the world to submit their work to a judging panel that considered the merits of quality and relevance to the theme of the films entered into the show.
The 3rd IFF managed and judged nine awards, which resulted in nine winning film entries and seven special commendations (see Awards section for full list of winners) Venue, Z-arts, Manchester (15–17 March 2013) The 4th IFF comprised three days of screenings, workshops and discussions, including presentations of short films from all over the world.
On 15 March 2013, IFF held the inaugural Insight Education Day, a programme of events for 14-19-year-old Manchester schoolchildren.