The San Francisco FilmSociety has received a $150,000 three-year 'secure foundation' grantfrom the Academy Foundation of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences(AMPAS).

The rare award will bepresented to the San Francisco International Film Festival in the form of$50,000 in its 50th anniversary year next year, and $50,000 for each of thefollowing two years.

'We greatly appreciatethis recognition from the Academy, especially as we celebrate the 50thanniversary of the San Francisco International Film Festival in 2007 and lookto the future,' San Francisco Film Society board president Melanie Blumsaid.

'With the Academyguaranteeing funds for three years, our hope is that this type of grant willhelp a festival build a sturdy foundation for a project,' AMPAS festivalgrants committee chair Gale Anne Hurd added.

'That kind of securitywill permit a festival to take some chances with programmes they mightotherwise not be willing to try.'

The grant has only beenawarded twice before, to the Los Angeles Film Festival last year, and Telluridetwo years ago.

The 50th San FranciscoInternational Film Festival is scheduled to run from Apr 26-May 10 2007.