The National Film and Sound Archive of Australia is looking to ramp up the programming of its Arc cinema in Canberra with a commercial partner.
The NFSA today called for expressions of interest from qualified parties to develop and deliver a regular screening program at the Arc.
The institution was forced to cut back the cinema's screening program last year as part of a restructure which entailed slashing the workforce from 206 to 178, sparking protests from directors, producers, writers, actors, academics and journalists, many of whom complained about lack of consultation.
NFSA CEO Michael Loebenstein tells IF, “The Arc is one of the few cinemas that can play archival films as well as digital content, but running it at full capacity proved unviable and beyond our capacity. By ourselves we can only manage a limited number of programs.”
Among recent events at the Arc, classic Disney animation films have been shown during the school holidays and last year there were screenings of Peter Weir’s Gallipoli (marking the NFSA’s 30th anniversary) and P.J. Hogan’s Muriel’s Wedding.
Loebenstein says potential partners could be commercial organisations, not-for-profit bodies or individual curators. All must demonstrate a proven track record of developing and delivering screening programs.
The closing date for expressions of interest is Thursday February 19. Loebenstein hopes to start the commercial arrangement with a roll-out of new programs in July.
Meanwhile he aims to finalise the NFSA’s strategic plan at the end of February after consultation with stakeholders
The key principles are consistent with those outlined in the draft plan, including a stronger commitment to digitising the NFSA’s collection; more educational activities and programs; increased partnerships with audience-based organisations, such as the Arc project; and raising more funds via sponsorships and other initiatives.