Analogue Film Projection: Handling Fragile Film Prints in Cinemas and Festivals

With the digitisation of cinemas, expertise in projecting 16mm and 35mm films—and in maintaining the corresponding projection equipment—is increasingly being lost. At the same time, many films remain undigitised, and the surviving prints of older works are fragile objects that require the utmost care. Film prints are not the only vulnerable elements: often ageing projectors also present new challenges due to their irregular use.

This course offers cinema and festival professionals the opportunity to update their knowledge, improve their handling of sensitive film materials, and acquire valuable theoretical and practical skills in the maintenance of analogue projection equipment.

Prior to the course, participants receive comprehensive documentation and preparatory materials. These cover the basics of film formats, image and sound, physical carriers, and the principles of film projection, allowing participants to engage directly with practical work from the outset.

Programme

Day 1 focuses on preparing film prints for projection, identifying and repairing damage, and understanding the specific characteristics of historical film materials. Equipment care and maintenance are also addressed. These topics are further explored through group-based practical exercises in the afternoon.

In the evening, participants are invited to a special screening of Cinemania (2002) in a 35mm print at Lichtspiel.

Day 2 is dedicated to restarting projection equipment that has not been used for extended periods. It also covers the transport and storage of film prints, as well as live subtitling methods, enabling screenings of original-language films with subtitles in different languages. The afternoon again focuses on hands-on exercises tailored to participants’ needs.

Trainers

David Landolf (CH)
David Landolf studied electrical engineering at EPFL. As a child, he used his father’s Super 8 projector and later trained as a projectionist. In 2000, he founded Lichtspiel/Cinémathèque de Berne, which he continues to direct, focusing on the preservation, operation, and transmission of analogue film technologies. He lectures at various universities and universities of applied sciences and has served as a specialist delegate for the Memoriav network and as a long-standing technical expert for the Swiss Film Association.

David Frey (CH/FR)
David Frey began his career as a projectionist in 2010 during the transition to digital projection. In 2017, he became a trainer in analogue projection techniques, and in 2020 he took on responsibility for projectionist training in France. Since 2022, he has been Head of Projection Technology at the Cinémathèque suisse, which also operates the Capitole cinema in Lausanne.

Course Information

Participants
10 to 16 projectionists working in cinemas or festivals, with prior knowledge of analogue projection techniques

Date and Venue
10–11 June 2026
Lichtspiel / Cinémathèque de Berne

Application Deadline
6 May 2026

Application Requirements
Please include your CV and a short description of your professional experience, specifying the types of equipment and projectors you are familiar with and currently use.

Participation Fee
CHF 350 (including lunch)

Languages
German and French, with simultaneous translation

Organisation
Raff Fluri, Head of Continuing Education

In collaboration with

With the support of