PFC Digital Deadline Met Early

WE’VE MET OUR GOAL!

We began our Digital Deadline campaign on September 27, fully expecting that raising $225,000 by the end of February 2013 would be a challenge. October and November were steady and encouraging, and then starting December 1 we had an angel provide matching funds for, ultimately, the entire month of December. And we achieved warp speed.

As of December 31, we have achieved our original goal.

From all of us here at Pickford Film Center - with humility and gratitude - we want to thank each and every one of you who contributed to this campaign. From those of you who gave dollars and cents at the box office to the incredible generosity of our matching gift donor and every donation in between - all of you came together to give and in doing so showed us you cared about our organization and what we bring to our community.

In early 2013, we’ll move forward with purchasing and installing our equipment as we continue to bring you the quality programming you've come to rely on.

A more comprehensive report will be forthcoming, once pledges and contributions are secured. Most importantly, we will have a serious celebration once our installation is complete.

Again: thank you for your generosity, your support and your belief in what we do. We feel truly blessed!

Alice Clark, PFC Executive Director and PFC Board and Staff

All funds received up until February 1, over and above our original goal of $225,000, will be allocated to a restricted fund created specifically for future projection and sound equipment. Any donations received after February 1 will go into a general fund for the benefit of Pickford Film Center.

Here's what we accomplished!

35mm is going away
In the next 6 -12 months, an industry approved digital projection system for movies will be the only format available for all exhibitors, large and independent. This change requires every theater in the country to install new digital projection systems – or cease operations. Each system, called a Digital Cinema Package (DCP), is essentially a combination of a large digital projector and a digital server that accepts studio secured hard drives. Theaters wishing to play any film from the largest distributors must have a DCP system for digital playback. While the distributors are helping the big chain theaters buy the new equipment, independent theaters like PFC have been left out in the cold. Theaters like ours across the country are reaching out to their communities to support their efforts in making this transition.

What we need to do now
In order to remain a viable independent movie theater that brings Bellingham and Whatcom County award-winning, quality films for years to come – we need to convert to DCP and we need to do it now. To upgrade each of our screens we must raise $225,000 over the next five months to purchase and install new digital cinema equipment in early 2013. Yes, this is ambitious, but the reality is – we have no other choice. This is literally a “do or die” situation. If PFC doesn’t convert to a Digital Cinema Package, there will be no more PFC.

The end of film doesn't have to be the end of great cinema
With your support, PFC will continue to provide our community with the same top-quality movies you’ve come to expect - using the most advanced technology for the best visual experience possible. This means consistent, clear, gorgeous 2K-4K images with much better sound performance.

Please join us in preserving independent cinema in Bellingham!