Film Streams

Film Streams' Ruth Sokolof Theater
Ruth Sokolof Theater
Map
Address1340 Mike Fahey Street
Omaha, Nebraska
United States
Coordinates41°15′58″N 95°56′03″W / 41.26617°N 95.93428°W / 41.26617; -95.93428
OperatorFilm Streams
TypeArt house
Capacity206, 96
Construction
OpenedJuly 27, 2007
Years active2007 to present
ArchitectAlley Poyner Macchietto Architecture
Website
www.filmstreams.org

Film Streams is a nonprofit arts organization in Omaha, Nebraska[1] which oversees two cinemas: the Ruth Sokolof Theater, in North Downtown Omaha, and the historic Dundee Theater, Omaha's longest surviving neighborhood cinema.[2] It receives funding from corporate and individual donors, members, and the government.[3][4][5]

History

Film Streams was founded by Rachel Jacobson in 2005, it states its mission as "enhanc[ing] the cultural environment of the Omaha-Council Bluffs area through the presentation and discussion of film as an art form".[6]

In July 2007, Film Streams opened the Ruth Sokolof Theater. A two-screen cinema in downtown Omaha's North Downtown (NoDo) area[7] found within a development anchored by Omaha-based music label Saddle Creek Records.[8][9] In February 2016, Film Streams announced that Susie Buffett's Sherwood Foundation had donated the 92-year-old Dundee Theater to the organization.[10] The organization launched a public capital campaign in April 2017 with the intention of renovating and reopening the cinema by 2018.[11] Film Streams' Dundee Theater reopened to the public on December 1, 2017.[12]

The name "Film Streams" is inspired by Omaha (the word means "above all others on a stream") and the John Cassavetes film, Love Streams.[13]

The Ruth Sokolof Theater

The Ruth Sokolof Theater has two auditoriums with 35-millimeter platter and reel-to-reel projection capabilities.[8] 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.[3] Film Streams has DVD, Blu-ray, and digital high-definition projection.

Films Streams was inspired by joining with Saddle Creek Records, the indie record label based in Omaha, to build a mini-campus in a deserted downtown Omaha area.[14] The block that is home to Film Streams also houses the Saddle Creek headquarters and Slowdown, a rock club the label operates.[8][15][16][17]

Ruth Sokolof

Film Streams' North Downtown Omaha cinema is named after Ruth Sokolof, née Rosinsky (1925-1982), a well-known educator in Omaha who focused her life on helping children with disabilities.[18] With her husband, Phil,[19][20] many education-based scholarships are awarded in their name each year to Omaha-area students and educators.[21][22]

The Dundee Theater

Film Streams' Dundee Theater
Map
Address4952 Dodge St
Omaha
United States
OperatorFilm Streams
TypeArt house
Screens2
Construction
Opened1925
Renovated2017
Website
www.filmstreams.org

Film Streams announced plans to renovate and reopen Omaha's longest-running cinema in February 2016. When it reopened, it featured two screens: the historic 300-seat main house and a new 25-seat microcinema.[23] The lobby is occupied by Lola's, a neighborhood cafe.[24]

Programming

Film Streams offers screenings of first-run films and a selection of retrospectives and classic films; education programs, and community development programs.[25]

See also

References

  1. ^ Davidson, Adam (June 3, 2011). "The Indie-Rock Club Behind Omaha's $100 Million Creative Boom" (Audio story and interview). NPR's Morning Edition. Planet Money: The Economy Explained. National Public Radio (NPR). Retrieved 14 November 2013.
  2. ^ Shapes, Justin Kemerling and Human (2017-11-15). "Film Streams — About". Film Streams. Retrieved 2017-11-15.
  3. ^ a b Krainak, Michael Joe. "Meet Rachel Jacobson, Omaha's Movie Maven, founder & director of Film Streams, the city's first non-profit indie cinema venue". Omaha City Weekly. Archived from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved 14 November 2013.
  4. ^ Biga, Leo Adam (February 2012). "Living the Dream: Cinema Maven Rachel Jacobson – the Woman Behind Film Streams". Metro Magazine. Retrieved 14 November 2013.
  5. ^ Schreiber, Danny (August 9, 2010). "Nebraska Film: Rachel Jacobson of Film Streams" (Part of a series titled Nebraska Film: An Exploration of the Growing Community). Silicon Prairie News. Retrieved 14 November 2013.
  6. ^ Shapes, Justin Kemerling and Human (2017-11-15). "Film Streams — Mission & History". Film Streams. Retrieved 2017-11-15.
  7. ^ Davila, Stephanie (June 19, 2011). "SURFACING; In Omaha, From Train Yards to Playground". The New York Times. Retrieved 14 November 2013.
  8. ^ a b c Konigsberg, Eric (March 16, 2008). "When Omaha Met Cinema". The New York Times. Retrieved 14 November 2013.
  9. ^ Andersen, Kurt (March 25, 2007). "Omaha's Culture Club". The New York Times. Retrieved 14 November 2013.
  10. ^ writer, Micah Mertes / World-Herald staff. "Sherwood Foundation will donate Dundee Theater to Film Streams, with spotlight on 2018 reopening". Omaha.com. Retrieved 2017-11-15.
  11. ^ writer, Micah Mertes / World-Herald staff. "Film Streams nears $8.3 million fundraising goal for Dundee Theater renovations". Omaha.com. Retrieved 2017-11-15.
  12. ^ Barth, Taylor (2017-12-02). "Dundee Theater back open after years of sitting empty". KETV. Retrieved 2022-10-24.
  13. ^ "Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)". Film Streams. Archived from the original on 9 August 2013. Retrieved 14 November 2013.
  14. ^ Soderlin, Barbara (April 22, 2013). "Film Streams vies for starring role in Omaha entertainment scene". Omaha World-Herald. Money. Retrieved 14 November 2013.
  15. ^ Lehrer, Brian (April 13, 2006). "Knowing When to Quit Is Half of Winning" (Audio story). The Brian Lehrer Show. WNYC. Retrieved 14 November 2013.
  16. ^ DiGiacomo, Danielle (May–June 2006). "On the Margins of the Multiplex: Young visionaries bring indie cinemas to small cities". The Independent. The Association of Independent Video and Filmmakers (AIVF). Archived from the original on June 25, 2006. Retrieved 14 November 2013.
  17. ^ "Asserting Their Style" (PDF). Hemisphere Magazine. May 2006. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 28, 2007. Retrieved 14 November 2013.
  18. ^ "About Film Streams: About Ruth Sokolof (1925-1982)". Film Streams. Retrieved 14 November 2013.
  19. ^ Saxon, Wolfgang (April 17, 2004). "Phil Sokolof, 82, a Crusader Against Cholesterol, Is Dead". The New York Times. Retrieved 14 November 2013.
  20. ^ Sherman, Claudia (April 29, 2005). "Foundation Receives $3 Million Gift From Sokolof Estate". The Jewish Federation of Omaha. The Jewish Federations of North America, Inc. Archived from the original on 15 November 2013. Retrieved 14 November 2013.
  21. ^ Henthorn, Janet. "Foundation Announces Sokolof Scholarship Applications Available". The Jewish Federation of Omaha. The Jewish Federations of North America, Inc. Archived from the original on 15 November 2013. Retrieved 14 November 2013.
  22. ^ Sherman, Claudia. "Nominations Sought for Sokolof Teacher's Award". The Jewish Federation of Omaha. The Jewish Federations of North America, Inc. Archived from the original on 15 November 2013. Retrieved 14 November 2013.
  23. ^ writer, Micah Mertes / World-Herald staff. "Revamped Dundee Theater could open sooner than expected". Omaha.com. Retrieved 2017-11-15.
  24. ^ Oakley, John (June 4, 2021). "Now Serving Omaha: Lola's Cafe". KETV Newswatch 7. Retrieved May 27, 2022.
  25. ^ "Film Streams Annual Report 2012" (PDF). Film Streams. Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 March 2014. Retrieved 14 November 2013.