RFC goes to digital projection moments before the film industry phases out 35 mm prints of movies

Much Ado Joss Whedon Poster Contest, a photo by ericdenmanscreensaver on Flickr.

After raising more than $140,000 through a yearlong fundraising campaign, the Robinson Film Center (RFC) , says Alex Kent, will unveil its new digital projection system. See it on August 2, 2013.

“We are grateful for this opportunity to add state-of-the-art digital cinema,” says Kent, executive director at RFC. “Because of outstanding funder support, we’re putting the best possible digital projection in our two theaters. The result will be crisper, bolder and more exciting movie experiences for everyone.”

Donors include the Grayson Foundation, Carolyn W. and Charles T. Beaird Family Foundation, City of Shreveport, Eldorado Resort Casino, Downtown Development Authority, I.A.T.S.E. Local 478, The Powers Foundation, and individual contributors.

RFC began a campaign to upgrade from 35mm to digital cinema after the film industry announced it would phase out 35mm prints at the end of 2013 in favor of a new high-resolution digital format called DCP.

“Without our Go Digital donors, we faced the prospect of going dark at the end of the year,” says Waynette Ballengee, board president at RFC. “We’re thrilled! Our theaters are new again. We want our members, moviegoers and supporters to come celebrate with us.”

RFC opened its downtown doors in May 2008, renovating a vacant downtown building into a two-screen movie theater and education nonprofit. It serves more than 60,000 people annually through a mix of daily films, educational programs and special events.