In Reel Life

In the digital age, a time in which fewer analog film prints are available, there is a fundamental divide in archival and curatorial ideologies. Restrict access and store film prints for long term survival via digitization? Or loan and project analog films as much as possible? These two attitudes, however, are not necessarily polar opposites. Best practice in archiving promotes long term access to rare prints, while a trained projectionist with proper equipment can make a worn film print projectable once again and screen it many times without damage.
To secure the existence of the analog film experience, knowledge in both archival and projection practices is urgently needed. 

This hands-on workshop led by film archivist Florian Höhensteiger will offer insights into how you can build and care for an analog film archive. At the same time, it will give you an insight on the tasks of a film projectionist.
Over the course of two days, you will get a behind-the-scenes look into an independent cinema and film archive and get a chance to work with the SİNEMA TRANSTOPIA film collection. Projectionist Florian will teach you a basic understanding of how and why analog film is archived and best practices in its preservation and projection. Through inspecting and projecting 16mm and 35mm film prints, you will develop a feeling for the unique qualities of celluloid film and what it means to run an analog film show.

One evening program - projected on 35mm - will accompany the workshop and will bring the opportunity to experience analog film history on screen.

The provisional schedule is as follows:

Saturday 17.01.2026
11:00 - 17:00 
16mm & 35mm film handling, inspection & repair

18:00
35mm Film Screening: 
Circuito Chiuso (Closed Circuit)

Sunday 18.01.2026
11:00 - 17:00 
16mm & 35mm film projection

The workshop language is English. 
The total workshop fee is 50,00 € which includes free ticket for the screening Circuito chiuso (Closed Circuit), materials and lunches.

Sign up until Januray 5th 2026. Limited capacity.