The Latest: January 7th 2010
Hope everyone had a happy new year! As you may know, we've been working hard trying to find a way to save the 941 Theater. However it is with heavy hearts that we regret to inform you that the 941 Theater space will not be re-opening. We appreciate all the donations and support but our continually growing overhead while being closed far outweighed any money we could potentially raise. Fear not, your donations have gone towards continuing the Philadelphia Friends of the Projected Arts cause and we will soon host screenings and events in our new theater space in 2424 Studios! You can get info on all the current events at www.2424studios.com.
The fight to save projected arts and support independent film and media production is far from over! The Philadelphia Friends of the Projected Arts will continue it's mission. While the theater was only open for about 3 years, we've supported production and projected arts through our Backseat Film Festival for eight years and will continue to do so with the new space at the Skybox in 2424 Studios!
We still need your support to continue the fight for projected arts - Please donate - more info here
About the Philadelphia Friends of the Projected Arts (PFPA)
The PFPA is registered as a non-profit in the state of Pennsylvania, and it is run by professionals in the film and media industries. By making Projected Arts more accessible to Philadelphia, they are enriching the culture of Philadelphia and helping filmmakers make money off their work.
Due to the nonstop trend of media consolidation, it is more important than ever for independent filmmakers to have an outlet for their creations. 25 years ago, there were 50 companies controlling the media in America. Today, there are only six. Media consolidation has made it that much more difficult to get first run independent films out to the viewing public, and this is not okay. While we have access to many so-called “mainstream indies” in Philadelphia, there isn’t a theater that screens the rest of the first-run independent films that come out each week.
While the Internet is the ultimate tool for the unknown to become known, mass exposure on the internet doesn’t automatically help small filmmakers make a profit off of their art. Having their work accessible online can help filmmakers, but in order to make a living and continue to create films, they must be able to monetize their efforts. The PFPA aims to help filmmakers find venues where their work will be displayed and they will share in the revenue generated.
While it takes a few clicks of your mouse to see a movie in the comfort of your own home, you aren’t viewing the film in the way the filmmaker intended it to be seen, and therefore are missing out on the key details you can only see in a theater. PFPA is involved in fundraising in order to provide the city with the entertainment it is lacking and, in collaboration with 941 Theater, a venue that gives the viewer the total movie experience: the picture projected on a screen, excellent sound, and surrounded by strangers.