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2026 Orphan Film Symposium

Close up of a film strip with the text "Ohio The Buckeye State."

Started in 1999, the Orphan Film Symposium is a regular gathering of international archivists, filmmakers, and scholars who explore neglected works from across film history. 

What is an orphan film? Narrowly defined it’s a motion picture abandoned by its owner or caretaker. More generally the term refers to all manner of films outside of the commercial mainstream, including public domain materials, home movies, medical films, unreleased films, industrial and educational movies, ethnographic films, newsreels, experimental pieces, and more.

The Wex is proud to host the 15th NYU Orphan Film Symposium April 8–11. Scholars, archivists, filmmakers, media artists, musicians, curators, preservationists, collectors, researchers, and enthusiasts will explore a variety of neglected works and moving image artifacts through screenings, lectures, panels, and more.

For more information including the schedule and to register, please visit the Orphan Film Symposium website.

IMAGE CAPTION
Ohio - The Buckeye State, courtesy of the Orphan Film Symposium.  

Program Support

SUPPORT FOR FILM PROGRAMS PROVIDED BY

Rohauer Collection Foundation

WEXNER CENTER PROGRAMS MADE POSSIBLE BY

Greater Columbus Arts Council

The Wexner Family

Ohio Arts Council, with support from the National Endowment for the Arts

CampusParc

The Columbus Foundation

Every Page Foundation

Mellon Foundation

Axium Packaging

Nationwide Foundation

Michael and Anita Goldberg

Vorys, Sater, Seymour, and Pease, LLP

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT PROVIDED BY

Joyce Shenk

Rebecca Perry and Ben Towle

Lachelle Thigpen

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2026 Orphan Film Symposium