Kodak and Sundance Institute are collaborating to support the Institute’s preservation efforts while also supporting independent filmmakers who are using motion picture film. As part of the new alliance, Kodak is providing film to the Sundance Institute’s Archives, which hosts a wealth of images, tapes and artifacts preserved over its rich 35-year history. Kodak is also creating 35mm exhibition prints for filmmakers who originated their projects on film and those with features in the U.S. Competition categories at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival who want to screen a film print. Additionally, Kodak is offering Sundance Lab participants a 50% discount on film purchased for origination of their project.

“Kodak understands the importance of keeping film available and affordable for independent storytellers to preserve their work regardless of the original capture format,” said Anne Hubbell, Director of Motion Picture Film, Kodak. “We are dedicated to supporting filmmakers and their creative choices.”

The agreement between Kodak and Sundance Institute is designed to support the lifespan of independently produced projects, and to preserve the historical and cultural value of these important works.

The first films at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival to take advantage of Kodak’s support for exhibition prints include Kelly Reichardt’s Certain Women, Antonio Campos’ Christine, J.T. Mollner’s Outlaws and Angels, and the short film Fuckkkyouuu from Eddie Alcazar.

“Kodak's help in finishing the film the way we started means so much to us,” said Neil Kopp, producer of Certain Women. “[Director] Kelly Reichardt and [cinematographer] Christopher Blauvelt realized quickly that the movie had to be shot on Super 16 film, and to take it to a 35mm print is such a huge gift, especially for an independent film. We are truly grateful to Kodak for its support, from the first day of production to seeing it projected on the big screen.”

Maintaining film as an origination, exhibition and archival option is vital to the health of the film industry. Many filmmakers have publicly reaffirmed their love of film over the course of the past year, from studio tent poles and independent movies, to music videos and commercials.

Continuing the ongoing dialogue, Christopher Nolan (Interstellar), Colin Trevorrow (Jurassic World), Rachel Morrison (Fruitvale Station) and Alex Ross Perry (Listen Up Philip) will address this topic during the “Power of Story: Art of Film” panel at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival on January 28 at 2:30 p.m. MST at the Egyptian Theatre. The conversation will focus on the film’s aesthetics, its intrinsic qualities, and its appeal to filmmakers who have made the artistic choice to employ film as a shooting format. The panel will be live streamed at sundance.org/festival.