Film Digitisation – 2012/2013 Fundraising initiative

As one of its 2012/2013 objectives, The Foundation is raising money to purchase new film display and digitisation equipment for the State Library.

The State Library holds a significant collection of important and fragile film, dating from the earliest days of the medium. Material collected includes home movies of many prominent South Australians, film footage dating back to the early 1900’s, significant moments of State historical interest and movies of some of South Australia’s most important citizens.

Unfortunately, a lot of this film is degrading rapidly and it must be transferred to safe media before it is lost to the State and our citizens for ever.

The film reels come in a variety of formats which cannot be projected by the current equipment of the Library. Its fragility and age-related damage also means that special treatment and equipment is required before the film can be successfully transferred to safe media.

The Foundation aims to ensure that this important cultural asset is not lost to the people of South Australia.

The target for 2012/2013 is $200,000 to purchase a suitable specialist projector and related equipment.

We have already donated $100,000 of the target to the Library, which has enabled the first phase of this project to get under way!