Tag: Projectionists Workshop

Projectionists’ Workshops 2026: Strengthening Analogue Film Projection Skills

Five Projectionists’ Workshops organised across Europe in 2026 brought together cinema professionals to strengthen practical skills in analogue film projection, promote the exchange of expertise, and support the continued preservation and public presentation of film on analogue formats. Below is a summary of the workshops held to date.

Châteauroux/Issoudun, France | 23-24 March 2026

The first of five projectionists’ workshops co-funded by ACE and FIAF in the first half of 2026, this two-day event was held at the Cinema Apollo in Châteauroux and at Ciclic Centre-Val de Loire’s Heritage Department in Issoudun. Its sessions covered all aspects of 35mm and smaller-gauge analogue film projection, with special considerations for the optimal conditions of a public screening as well as supporting preservation aims. It welcomed 17 participants, all practicing projectionists in commercial cinemas or festivals. The workshop was a collaboration between Ciclic Centre-Val de Loire (FIAF Associate), la Scène nationale Equinoxe and the Fédération des cinémathèques et archives de films de France (FCAFF).

Projectionists’ workshop at Ciclic Centre-Val de Loire, Issoudun, 24 March 2026.

Stockholm, Sweden | 28-31 May 2026

The Swedish Film Institute organised a workshop for projectionists in the Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden) and Estonia with a focus on analogue film projection from 28 to 31 May at its premises (Filmhuset) in Stockholm. A total of 15 participants were selected: 8 from Sweden, 3 from Norway, 2 from Estonia, and 2 from Finland. The workshop was preceded by an online preparatory programme in April, complemented by selected readings. The four-day, hands-on workshop in Stockholm provided participants with practical training in film inspection, projection using different sound systems, and changeover projection in 16mm, 35mm, and 70mm formats. It also included a workshop on portable 8mm and 16mm projection, as well as sessions on projector mechanics and maintenance. In the concluding discussion, participants were interested in developing strategies to ensure that analogue film projection remains a vital and sustainable part of cinema culture in the Nordic countries.

Projectionists’ workshop at SFI’s Filmhuset in Stockholm.

Düsseldorf, Germany | 30-31 May 2026

On 30 and 31 May, the Filmmuseum Düsseldorf hosted a two-day intensive workshop dedicated to analogue film projection and the handling of historical film materials. The first day focused on analogue film projection, opening with a lecture by Thomas Pfeiffer (Kinemathek Hamburg) on the history of 16mm film. Participants then had the opportunity to work hands-on with a wide range of 16mm and 35mm projectors. The second day focused on archival practice. In the Filmmuseum Düsseldorf’s film archive, 14 participants explored the characteristics of historical film materials, their proper handling, and the conservation challenges involved in their long-term preservation. The workshop provided a valuable platform for professional exchange and the development of practical skills related to analogue film culture.

Projectionists’ workshop hosted by Filmmuseum Dusseldorf at the Black Box Cinema, 30 May 2026.

Bern, Switzerland | 10-11 June 2026

On 10 and 11 June at Lichtspiel / Kinemathek Bern and the Rex cinema, 16 projectionists had the opportunity to refresh their knowledge, improve their handling of film prints and gain valuable insight into the maintenance of cinema equipment. Participants were able to try out various pieces of equipment and immerse themselves in the dual-projector cinema experience. The workshop for the Swiss trainees, in simultaneous translation in German and French, was organised by Lichtspiel / Kinemathek Bern in collaboration with Cinémathèque suisse.

Lichtspiel / Kinemathek Bern’s David Landolf with the participants of the workshop in Bern. Photo: Raff Fluri.

Berlin, Germany | 22-24 July 2026

This Projectionists’ Workshop, held in German and English, is being organised by the Arsenal Filminstitut. Initially due to take place in May 2026, the workshop was postponed until July because of the priority given to the opening of the new Arsenal cinema in early May.

Projectionists’ Workshops 2026-2027

The strong interest and positive feedback from participants confirmed the continuing demand for specialised training in analogue film projection. Building on the success of this year’s programme, a new round of Projectionists’ Workshops co-funded by ACE and FIAF for 2026-2027 was officially announced during Il Cinema Ritrovato in Bologna.

Projectionists’ Workshops 2026-2027

Applications for funding are open until 10 September!

ACE/FIAF-funded projectionists’ workshop in Bern, June 2026. Photo: Raff Fluri.

 

Following the success of the first two years of this scheme, the ACE and FIAF are once again joining forces to support ACE Members and/or FIAF affiliates seeking to strengthen and promote the knowledge and practice of analogue film projection. The Projectionists’ Workshops initiative is based on a shared commitment to keeping this craft alive by providing current and future projectionists with opportunities to learn, exchange experience, and build professional networks.

So far, nine workshops have been funded through this scheme – in Brussels, Lisbon, Frankfurt, Budapest, Châteauroux/Issoudun, Düsseldorf, Stockholm, Bern, and (soon) Berlin. ACE and FIAF have now decided to fund four more workshops over the coming year.

Each selected workshop will receive a total of 2,000 EUR in joint funding from ACE and FIAF to support the organisation of a short Projectionists’ Workshop aimed at practising professionals and motivated participants. Workshops should primarily attract participants from the same region or language area, both for participants’ convenience and to minimise long-distance travel. The financial contribution from the ACE and FIAF can be used for honoraria for invited experts/instructors, production of educational materials, accommodation, travel costs, and meals.

Workshops should focus on exchanging knowledge and best practices, on topics such as repairs and maintenance, suppliers of equipment and spare parts, and professional networking among projectionists. The workshops should also be open to projectionists not (yet) working for an archival cinema.

How to apply?

Please include the following information in your application:

  • Name of the organising institution
  • Region/language of the workshop
  • Contact information of responsible person(s)
  • Place of the workshop
  • Dates of the workshop
  • Hours of the workshop per day/proposed schedule
  • Number and profiles of the instructors
  • Maximum number of participants your workshop can host
  • Estimated itemised budget
  • Please describe the specific aims, content, and structure of the workshop you propose to host
  • Basic description of the projection equipment used during the workshop

Applications must be sent by email to projectionists@fiafnet.org by 10 September 2026. Please make sure you address all the points listed above. Applications received by the deadline will be evaluated by representatives of FIAF and ACE. Successful applicants will be notified by the end of September 2026. The selected workshops are expected to take place by May 2027. Upon completion of the workshop, a written report must be submitted to ACE and FIAF.

Evaluation criteria:

  • Completeness of the application
  • Clarity of the aims and content of the proposed workshop
  • Adequacy of the premises and equipment
  • Affordability of the event for the hosting institution
  • First-time applicants are particularly encouraged

Grant and Reporting:

Each selected workshop will receive a total of 2,000 EUR in joint funding from ACE and FIAF. Following the workshop, the hosting institution must submit a written report and photos of the event to projectionists@fiafnet.org no later than two months after the workshop has taken place. The report will also help ACE and FIAF evaluate the impact and effectiveness of this joint initiative.

 

For institutions based outside Europe: FIAF’s Training and Outreach Programme has begun discussing the possibility of extending this scheme to other regions of the world before the end of the year. If your institution would be interested in hosting such a workshop, please contact us at training@fiafnet.org.

If you have any comments or questions about the ACE/FIAF-funded projectionists’ workshops, please email projectionists@fiafnet.org.

 

Projectionists’ Workshop in Sweden: 28-31 May 2026

©Raff Fluri

Regional Capacity Building in the Nordic countries and Estonia for Film Projection

The goal of the workshop is to share and keep alive the knowledge and practice of analogue film projection in the Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden) and Estonia. The workshop is aimed at projectionists with some experience in handling and projecting analogue film.

A preceding online distance learning programme will provide a theoretical understanding of a variety of topics related to analogue film and its theatrical presentation (film formats, sound systems, projector mechanisms, etc).

During the workshop participants will receive a 35mm hands-on film projection training, which includes handling analogue film prints, threading a projector, performing change-overs and more.

The hands-on workshop will take place at the Film House/Filmhuset, located in the city of Stockholm (Borgvägen 1-5, Cinemas). The projection booth at the training location is equipped with Philips DP70 for 35mm and 70mm film, Kinoton FP-38E for 35mm and 16mm film, as well as Kinoton FP18 for 16mm film.

For any questions, contact: projectionistworkshop@filminstitutet.se

 

Update – list of selected participants:

Name SurnameCinema / Institution Country
Kari-HeleneBlystadVega Scene, OsloNorway
VinayChamboreCinemateket, BergenNorway
AxelFransbergAmos Rex, Technical company, Helsinki,Finland
TorbjørnGravCinemateket, TrondheimNorway
JonathanHeiniusFolkets Bio Panora, Folkets Bio Kino, MalmöSweden
MattiasIko MattssonCapitol (Cinemateket), GöteborgSweden
IsabellaJohansonVictoria and Grand, StockholmSweden
NiklasJönssonHagabion,  Göteborg Film Festival, GöteborgSweden
JohanLarjeModerna Museet, StockholmSweden
LinneaLidegran CorreiaFolkets Bio Panora, Folkets Bio Kino, Malmö/ LundSweden
IsakMozardFolkets Bio, Visby; Savannen Festival, GotlandSweden
OskarPostCinema Leida (Film Archive of Estonian National Archives), TallinnEstonia
JyrkiTenniCinema Orion, others, HelsinkiFinland
MarieUntTartu Elektriteater, Midnight Sun Film FestivalEstonia
AlvinWedstedtBio Elektra, Västerås; Bio Rio, EskilstunaSweden

 

Course Overview

Participants
10 to 15 projectionists, chosen through a selection process. Announcement of selection: end of March 2026.

Date and Venue
28–31 May 2026 – Filmhuset, Stockholm
20, 22, 27, and 28 April – Online distance learning

Application Deadline
8 March 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
Free of charge with lunches provided. Participants need to cover costs for travel and accommodation.

Selected participants who are affiliated with a cinema in Sweden that receives support from the Swedish Film Institute may be eligible for financial support covering 50% of travel and accommodation costs. Please note that the request for financial support must be submitted by the cinema. For detailed information on this financial support, please visit.

Languages
English

Organisation
Julia Mettenleiter, Archival Film Collections

Organised by

Svenska Filminstitutet

 

 

With the support of

 

 

 

 

 

Projectionists’ Workshop in Switzerland: 10-11 June 2026

©Raff Fluri

©Raff Fluri

Image 2

©Ashraf Dowani

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

Lichtspiel Kinemathek Bern

Cinémathèque suisse

 

With the support of