San Francisco Cinematheque/short history

The SAN FRANCISCO CINEMATHEQUE founded by a group of young, idealistic filmmakers including Bruce Ballie and Chick Strand. An informal showcase for films made by Bay Area artists, the Cinematheque was then, and remains today, a pioneer in the presentation of independent film as a unique art form.

CANYON CINEMA established as a not-for-profit film distributor, with the Cinematheque as its exhibition program. The Cinematheque took advantage of Canyon's newly formed collection of experimental films and its administrative base to expand the scope of its exhibition program. Films shown in more established host locations, such as Glide Fellowship Hall, Intersection for the Arts, Mills College in Oakland, and Sonoma State University.

The Cinematheque began its longstanding relationship with the SAN FRANCISCO ART INSTITUTE. This gave the Cinematheque a readily accessible space with professional quality film projection, improving the technical capabilities and increasing its exhibition possibilities at precisely the time when experimental film was coming into the public's general awareness.

FOUNDATION FOR ART IN CINEMA established as a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of film art. Acting as an umbrella for the Cinematheque and its newsletter Cinemanews, the Foundations's non-profit status made it eligible for government grants and private support. These new funding sources allowed for a more active program with better paid staff and more generous payments to artists.

Steve Anker hired as program director in 1982 and David Gerstein as administrative director in 1983. Following a major evaluation of its program activities, the Cinematheque began a long-range campaign that transformed it from a one-dimensional showcase of avant-garde film into a multi-faceted organization that could meet the changing needs of the cultural community. The addition of a third night of screenings (at the New College Gallery and then at the Eye Gallery) allowed Cinematheque to incorporate video, performance and installation as a significant portions of its overall schedule.

Cinematheque moves its second location to San Francisco's new Center for the Arts at Yerba Buena Gardens. Screenings are now regularly held twice a week on Sundays at San Francisco Art Institute and Thursdays at the Center for the Arts. Despite budget cuts, the Cinematheque continues to produce up to 80 programs per year.

Upon the departure of David Gerstein, Joel Shepard (Associate Director) and Irina Leimbacher (Administrative Manager) join Steve Anker (Director) as the new Cinematheque team.

Complimenting its regular calendar of programs and publications, the Cinematheque continues to produce special projects. Recent projects include the 7-part touring history of AUSTRIAN AVANT-GARDE film and an upcoming 50 program retrospective of AMERICAN 8MM film at the Museum of Modern Art in New York.