It is astonishing to realize that, in a little over five years, 35mm film has gone from a widely-supported exhibition format to the sole province of non-theatrical venues: public libraries like Northbrook, college-affiliated groups like Doc Films at the University of Chicago and Block Cinema at Northwestern, and oddball hybrids like the Brew & View.
via 2013 in Review: Whose Film Is It, Anyway? | Northwest Chicago Film Society»
In the coming weeks both Jake Smith and I hope to share our observations about Madison’s BFF scene (Between Film Festivals). I will follow up on my late 2012 Isthmus article on the subject, which both praised the renaissance going on at the UW-Cinematheque and Union South Marquee Theater, and warned about the downside of depending heavily on non-theatrical venues.
A great starting point for an ongoing discussion is the great piece posted by Kyle Westphal at the Northwest Chicago Film Society. It does not take much analysis to apply many of his observations to the current situation in Madison. (Where can you currently see 35mm in town? Do those venues always have access to 35mm? What are the consequences of these developments?)
As Jake and I quietly meditate and prepare our thoughts on film exhibition in Madison, we would like to hear other perspectives on the subject. Please share your thoughts in the comments section below or at the Madison Film Forum Facebook page (60+ “likes” on the first day, thank you!). Or start your own thread in our Discussion Forum.