Film Streams - Film Streams

Film Streams is a nonprofit arts organization in Omaha, Nebraska that specializes in offering screenings and education on film.

History

In late July 2007, Film Streams opened the Ruth Sokolof Theater, a new two-screen cinema in downtown Omaha's North Downtown (NoDo) area, within a development anchored by internationally acclaimed music label Saddle Creek Records.

The name "Film Streams" is inspired by Omaha (the word means "above all others on a stream") and the John Cassavetes film, Love Streams.

Description

Film Streams is a nonprofit arts organization. It receives funding from corporate and individual donors, members, and the government.

Film Streams has two auditoriums with 35-millimeter platter and reel-to-reel projection capabilities. 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. Film Streams has DVD, Bluray, 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. The block that is home to Film Streams also houses the Saddle Creek headquarters and Slowdown, a rock club the label operates.

Ruth Sokolof

The theaters were named after Ruth Sokolof, née Rosinsky (1925-1982), a well-known educator in Omaha who focused her life on helping children with disabilities. With her husband, Phil, many education-based scholarships are awarded in their name each year to Omaha-area students and educators.

Programming

The facility offers screenings of first-run films and a selection of retrospectives and classic films; education programs, and community development programs. Programming includes:

• Now Showing: First run films
• Repertory Series
  • 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
• Education
  • 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 Events
  • Feature: Annual fundraiser

Feature (annual fundraiser)

In addition to its regular programming there is an annual fundraiser held at the Holland Performing Arts Center.

• Feature I (2008): Director Alexander Payne in conversation with actor Laura Dern (Sunday, July 13, 2008)
• Feature II (2009): Director Alexander Payne in conversation with actor Debra Winger (Saturday, September 13, 2009)
• Feature III (2011): Kurt Andersen in conversation with director Steven Soderbergh with an introduction by director Alexander Payne (Sunday, February 20, 2011)
• Feature IV (2012): Director Alexander Payne in conversation with actor Jane Fonda (Sunday, July 22, 2012)
• Feature V (2013): Kurt Andersen in conversation with Nebraska director Alexander Payne and actors Bruce Dern and Will Forte (Sunday, November 24, 2013)

Leadership

Board of directors

• Laura Alley
• Roger duRand
• Charles Gifford
• David Jacobson
• Rachel Jacobson, Founder/Director
• Mark Javitch
• Daniel Lonergan
• Robert E. (Bob) Mundy, Secretary
• Alexander Payne
• Steven W. Seline
• Betiana Simon
• Paul G. Smith, Vice Chairman
• Ted Warin, Treasurer
• Katie Weitz, Ph.D., Chairman

Advisory board

• Kurt Andersen
• Danny Lee Ladely
• Robb Nansel
• Joel Schlessinger
• Lyn Wallin Ziegenbein
• Michael B. Yanney, Director Emeritus

Partners

• Alley Poyner Machietto Architecture
• Oxide Design Co., design â€" Film Streams identity and collateral materials