Special guests of the Forum have included some of the most renowned people in the film industry, some of whom are pictured above.

The Adirondack Film Society was incorporated in 1999. The first event that was presented in the name of the Adirondack Film Society was a Silent Film series held at the Palace Theater in Lake Placid, NY in October, 1999. Co-founders, artist Naj Wikoff, film critic Kathleen Carroll and, novelist/screenwriter, Russell Banks all had a desire to bring people from the film industry to the Adirondacks. Banks said, "We wanted to build a concept where people who are passionate about films could come together and learn from each other." Sufficient funds were raised at the Silent Film series to get the first Lake Placid Film Forum off the ground in June, 2000.

From its inception, the focus of the Forum has been film—its history, evolution and future. The think tank-like event was designed to stimulate, encourage and inspire the independent voices among filmmakers today, to foster the development of original and adapted screenplays and to exhibit new, rare and classic films. Its programs throughout the years have provided unique opportunities for filmmakers, screenwriters and actors to come together to exchange and obtain information related to the creation, production and distribution of film and other electronic media. To that end, the Forum presents seminars, workshops, screenings, screenplay readings, panel discussions, and master classes.

Special guests of the Forum have included some of the most renowned people in the film industry. One of the most memorable events was a screening of a rare restored print of Luchino Visconti’s 1963 Italian epic, "The Leopard," which was introduced at Lake Placid’s Palace Theater by none other than director Martin Scorsese (who played an active role in the restoration of the film.) Among other directors, who were the subjects of tributes at the Lake Placid Film Forum, were Milos Forman, Norman Jewison, John Sayles, and Alan Rudolph.

Participants on various panels have included directors Mira Nair, Raoul Peck and the award-winning documentary film director, Al Maysles. The list of participating novelists is especially impressive for it includes several Pulitzer Prize winners, many of whom have had their works adapted for films. The Film Forum was possibly the only film event to feature an on-site book store in its early years, and critically acclaimed novelists such as William Kennedy, Frank McCourt, John Irving, Elmore Leonard, Michael Ondaatje, Richard Russo and Russell Banks have not only made personal appearances at the LPFF, but signed books for the guests.

An outdoor actors’ round table discussion has also been a main feature of the event for several years. Such stellar actors as Campbell Scott, Patricia Clarkson, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Kyra Sedgwick, James Tolkan and Debra Winger have all appeared on the town’s band shell to discuss their craft at one time or another.

Master classes with industry experts such as actor-director Cliff Robertson and veteran producer Ben Barenholtz have been an additional attraction.

The most recent addition to the Film Forum, introduced at the 2007 Film Forum, has been a 24 hour Filmmaking Competition in which film students from five colleges with film making programs were given 24 hours to conceptualize, script, shoot, edit and deliver a DVD of a film no longer than 10 minutes. Among other things, the competition was designed to emphasize the collaborative nature of filmmaking, and the importance of teamwork in the successful creation of a film. The competition was extremely popular and will be repeated at the 2008 Lake Placid Film Forum.

The Lake Placid Film Forum is fast being recognized as one of the most exciting new film forums in the country.