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The Political Film Society is a nonprofit corporation that exists to recognize Hollywood films ability to raise awareness in political matters in the world. Film makers (directors) are the ones who are awarded by this organization. The Political Film Society awards directors as a way of encouraging the industry to make the public audience more aware of the political issues facing their world today.

The Political Film Society was founded in 1986 in Honolulu, HI. It was originally an idea of the Hawai`i Political Studies Association. The headquarters of the society were moved from Honolulu to Hollywood in 1998 after it became a nonprofit organization.

Each year, at an annual meeting of members, three persons are elected to serve on the board of directors. The board, in turn, chooses the Chief Executive Officer. Michael Haas, who also serves on the board, has been the CEO of the Political Film Society since its inception. Other board members elected in 1998 are Stanley M. Castillo and Eric Dacumos.

Members are selected by the board of directors. Those wanting to become members of the society must contact the society through mail or email to join and after that they usually become members of the society. Members in good standing are allowed to vote each year on the films up for the awards that the society hands out for the winners.

The Political Film Society awards movies each year with the Political Film Society Awards. These awards are given out to movies in five categories: Political Film Society Award for Democracy, Political Film Society Award for Exposé, Political Film Society Award for Human Rights, Political Film Society Award for Peace, and the Special Award. The awards are nicknamed The Stanley Awards after Stanley M. Castillo, an original member of the Political Film Society's board of directors who died in 1998 due to cancer.