Film Streams
Film Streams is a nonprofit arts organization in Omaha, Nebraska[1] that oversees two cinemas: the Ruth Sokolof Theater, in North Downtown Omaha, and the historic Dundee Theater, Omaha’s longest surviving neighborhood cinema.[2] It receives funding from corporate and individual donors, members, and the government.[3][4][5]
Ruth Sokolof Theater | |
Address | 1340 Mike Fahey Street Omaha, Nebraska United States |
---|---|
Coordinates | 41.26617°N 95.93428°W |
Operator | Film Streams |
Type | Art house |
Capacity | 206, 96 |
Construction | |
Opened | July 27, 2007 |
Years active | 2007 to present |
Architect | Alley Poyner Macchietto Architecture |
Website | |
www |
History
Founded by Rachel Jacobson in 2005, Film Streams' mission is to enhance the cultural environment of the Omaha-Council Bluffs area through the presentation and discussion of film as an art form.[6]
In July 2007, Film Streams opened the Ruth Sokolof Theater, a new two-screen cinema in downtown Omaha's North Downtown (NoDo) area,[7] within a development anchored by internationally acclaimed music label Saddle Creek Records.[8][9] In February 2016, Film Streams announced that Susie Buffett's Sherwood Foundation had donated the 92-year-old Dundee Theater to the organization.[10] The organization launched a public capital campaign in April 2017 with the intention of renovating and reopening the cinema by 2018.[11]
The name "Film Streams" is inspired by Omaha (the word means "above all others on a stream") and the John Cassavetes film, Love Streams.[12]
The Ruth Sokolof Theater
The Ruth Sokolof Theater has two auditoriums with 35-millimeter platter and reel-to-reel projection capabilities.[8] The larger theater seats 206 and runs first run feature films. The smaller theater seats 96 and shows a selection of classic films, retrospectives, and other films.[3] Film Streams has DVD, Blu-ray, and digital high-definition projection.
Rachel Jacobson founded Films Streams by joining with Saddle Creek Records, the indie record label based in Omaha, to build a mini-campus in a deserted downtown Omaha area.[13] The block that is home to Film Streams also houses the Saddle Creek headquarters and Slowdown, a rock club the label operates.[8][14][15][16]
Ruth Sokolof
Film Streams' North Downtown Omaha cinema is named after Ruth Sokolof, née Rosinsky (1925-1982), a well-known educator in Omaha who focused her life on helping children with disabilities.[17] With her husband, Phil,[18][19] many education-based scholarships are awarded in their name each year to Omaha-area students and educators.[20][21]
The Dundee Theater
Film Streams announced plans to renovate and reopen Omaha's longest-running cinema in February 2016. When it opened, it featured two screens: the historic 300-seat main house and a new 25-seat microcinema.[22] The lobby will also house Kitchen Table Central, a second location of a popular farm-to-table restaurant.[23]
Programming
Film Streams offers screenings of first-run films and a selection of retrospectives and classic films; education programs, and community development programs.[24] Programming includes:
- First run films: New American independents, documentaries, and international films making their theatrical premieres in Omaha and the surrounding region.
- Repertory Series: Classic films, themed series, director retrospectives, and revivals celebrating the history and cultural spectrum of film as art
- Alexander Payne Presents: Curated repertory series by director Alexander Payne
- Forever Young Family & Children Series
- The Met: Live in HD: Presented in collaboration with Opera Omaha
- Community Development: Collaborative screenings with other nonprofit organizations, using film as a catalyst for important conversations about our community and the world around us.
- Education: Year-round film-education opportunities for all ages.
- Daytime screenings for visiting classes: High School curriculum support
- Student night at the Ruth Sokolof Theater: First Monday of every month free for full-time students
- Special Programs: Q&As with visiting filmmakers, live musical performances to silent classics, an annual Local Filmmakers Showcase.
Feature
First held in 2008 at the Holland Performing Arts Center, Film Streams' fundraising galas bring acclaimed filmmakers to Omaha for conversations about their careers and perspectives on the medium.
- Feature I (2008): Director Alexander Payne in conversation with actor Laura Dern (Sunday, July 13, 2008)[25][26][27]
- Feature II (2009): Director Alexander Payne in conversation with actor Debra Winger (Saturday, September 13, 2009)[28][29]
- Feature III (2011): Kurt Andersen in conversation with director Steven Soderbergh with an introduction by director Alexander Payne (Sunday, February 20, 2011)[30][31]
- Feature IV (2012): Director Alexander Payne in conversation with actor Jane Fonda (Sunday, July 22, 2012)[32][33][34][35]
- Feature V (2013): Kurt Andersen in conversation with Nebraska director Alexander Payne and actors Bruce Dern and Will Forte (Sunday, November 24, 2013)[36][37][38]
- Feature VI (2014): Director David O. Russell in conversation with director Alexander Payne[39]
- Feature VII (2017): Actor Julianne Moore in Conversation with director Alexander Payne[40]
Leadership
Board of directors
- Laura Alley, Secretary
- Sarah Bay Yale
- Roger duRand
- Charles Gifford
- David Jacobson, Founding Chair
- Rachel Jacobson, Founder/Executive Director
- Mark Javitch
- Gerry Lauritzen
- Dan Lonergan, Vice Chair
- Alexander Payne
- Betiana Simon
- Paul G. Smith, Chair
- Ted Warin, Treasurer
- Katie Weitz, PhD; Past Chair
Advisory board
- Kurt Andersen
- Danny Lee Ladely
- Robb Nansel
- Hillary Nather-Detisch
- Joel Schlessinger
- Lyn Wallin Ziegenbein
- Michael B. Yanney, Director Emeritus
Partners
- Alley Poyner Machietto Architecture
- Oxide Design Co., design — Film Streams identity and collateral materials
References
- Davidson, Adam (June 3, 2011). "The Indie-Rock Club Behind Omaha's $100 Million Creative Boom" (Audio story and interview). NPR's Morning Edition. Planet Money: The Economy Explained. National Public Radio (NPR). Retrieved 14 November 2013.
- Shapes, Justin Kemerling and Human (2017-11-15). "Film Streams — About". Film Streams. Retrieved 2017-11-15.
- Krainak, Michael Joe. "Meet Rachel Jacobson, Omaha's Movie Maven, founder & director of Film Streams, the city's first non-profit indie cinema venue". Omaha City Weekly. Archived from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved 14 November 2013.
- Biga, Leo Adam (February 2012). "Living the Dream: Cinema Maven Rachel Jacobson – the Woman Behind Film Streams". Metro Magazine. Retrieved 14 November 2013.
- Schreiber, Danny (August 9, 2010). "Nebraska Film: Rachel Jacobson of Film Streams" (Part of a series titled Nebraska Film: An Exploration of the Growing Community). Silicon Prairie News. Retrieved 14 November 2013.
- Shapes, Justin Kemerling and Human (2017-11-15). "Film Streams — Mission & History". Film Streams. Retrieved 2017-11-15.
- Davila, Stephanie (June 19, 2011). "SURFACING; In Omaha, From Train Yards to Playground". The New York Times. Retrieved 14 November 2013.
- Konigsberg, Eric (March 16, 2008). "When Omaha Met Cinema". The New York Times. Retrieved 14 November 2013.
- Andersen, Kurt (March 25, 2007). "Omaha's Culture Club". The New York Times. Retrieved 14 November 2013.
- writer, Micah Mertes / World-Herald staff. "Sherwood Foundation will donate Dundee Theater to Film Streams, with spotlight on 2018 reopening". Omaha.com. Retrieved 2017-11-15.
- writer, Micah Mertes / World-Herald staff. "Film Streams nears $8.3 million fundraising goal for Dundee Theater renovations". Omaha.com. Retrieved 2017-11-15.
- "Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)". Film Streams. Archived from the original on 9 August 2013. Retrieved 14 November 2013.
- Soderlin, Barbara (April 22, 2013). "Film Streams vies for starring role in Omaha entertainment scene". Omaha World-Herald. Money. Retrieved 14 November 2013.
- Lehrer, Brian (April 13, 2006). "Knowing When to Quit Is Half of Winning" (Audio story). The Brian Lehrer Show. WNYC. Retrieved 14 November 2013.
- DiGiacomo, Danielle (May–June 2006). "On the Margins of the Multiplex: Young visionaries bring indie cinemas to small cities". The Independent. The Association of Independent Video and Filmmakers (AIVF). Archived from the original on June 25, 2006. Retrieved 14 November 2013.
- "Asserting Their Style" (PDF). Hemisphere Magazine. May 2006. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 28, 2007. Retrieved 14 November 2013.
- "About Film Streams: About Ruth Sokolof (1925-1982)". Film Streams. Retrieved 14 November 2013.
- Saxon, Wolfgang (April 17, 2004). "Phil Sokolof, 82, a Crusader Against Cholesterol, Is Dead". The New York Times. Retrieved 14 November 2013.
- Sherman, Claudia (April 29, 2005). "Foundation Receives $3 Million Gift From Sokolof Estate". The Jewish Federation of Omaha. The Jewish Federations of North America, Inc. Archived from the original on 15 November 2013. Retrieved 14 November 2013.
- Henthorn, Janet. "Foundation Announces Sokolof Scholarship Applications Available". The Jewish Federation of Omaha. The Jewish Federations of North America, Inc. Archived from the original on 15 November 2013. Retrieved 14 November 2013.
- Sherman, Claudia. "Nominations Sought for Sokolof Teacher's Award". The Jewish Federation of Omaha. The Jewish Federations of North America, Inc. Archived from the original on 15 November 2013. Retrieved 14 November 2013.
- writer, Micah Mertes / World-Herald staff. "Revamped Dundee Theater could open sooner than expected". Omaha.com. Retrieved 2017-11-15.
- WRITER, MICAH MERTESWORLD-HERALD STAFF. "Kitchen Table is tapped for Dundee". Omaha.com. Retrieved 2017-11-15.
- "Film Streams Annual Report 2012" (PDF). Film Streams. Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 March 2014. Retrieved 14 November 2013.
- "Feature 2008: A Film Streams Event" (PDF). Film Streams. Retrieved 14 November 2013.
- Longbrake, Marc (July 14, 2008). "Film Streams presents – Laura Dern & Alexander Payne". King Penguin Productions. Archived from the original on 10 June 2015. Retrieved 14 November 2013.
- Biga, Leo Adam (November 20, 2011). "When Laura Met Alex: Laura Dern & Alexander Payne Get Deep About Collaborating on 'Citizen Ruth' and Their Shared Cinema Sensibilities". The Reader. Retrieved 14 November 2013.
- "Feature 2009: A Film Streams Event" (PDF). Film Streams. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 October 2012. Retrieved 14 November 2013.
- Associated Press (June 11, 2009). "Actress Debra Winger Helps Omaha Theater". WOWT NBC Omaha. Retrieved 14 November 2013.
- "Feature III: A Film Streams Event" (PDF). Film Streams. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 October 2012. Retrieved 14 November 2013.
- Anderson, Kurt. "Steven Soderbergh Says Goodbye to Hollywood" (Audio stream of interview). Studio 360. Film Streams and Omaha Performing Arts. Retrieved 14 November 2013.
- "Film Streams' Feature IV with Jane Fonda". Film Streams. Retrieved 14 November 2013.
- Fonda, Jane (July 24, 2012). "Alexander Payne, Laura Dern & an Amazing Weekend in Omaha". JaneFonda.com. Retrieved 14 November 2013.
- Kelly, Michael (July 26, 2012). "Kelly: Jane Fonda charmed by Omaha, Film Streams". Omaha World-Herald. Retrieved 14 November 2013.
- Fischbach, Bob (July 23, 2012). "Jane Fonda tours Omaha Community Playhouse". Omaha World-Herald. Retrieved 14 November 2013.
- "Feature V: In Support of Film Streams' Ruth Sokolof Theater" (PDF). Film Streams. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-06-10. Retrieved 2013-11-14.
- Fischbach, Bob (August 9, 2013). "Alexander Payne's 'Nebraska' to premiere at Film Streams on Nov. 22". Omaha World-Herald. Retrieved 14 November 2013.
- Alexander Payne's Nebraska, retrieved 2017-11-15
- writer, Bob Fischbach / World-Herald staff. "Alexander Payne, David O. Russell talk craft — and 1,100 get a chance to listen in". Omaha.com. Retrieved 2017-11-15.
- writer, Micah Mertes / World-Herald staff. "In conversation with Alexander Payne, Julianne Moore talks of her years in Nebraska, early acting struggles". Omaha.com. Retrieved 2017-11-15.