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Pricing and registration information at the Orphan Film Symposium website.
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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.
Just announced!Wed, Apr 8 at 5 PM – Free
Ashley Dequilla (Filipino American Historical Society of Chicago) presents five newly preserved 16mm films by avid amateur filmmaker Nicholas Viernes documenting Filipino American families and communities from 1936 to 1955. These include home movies and documentaries made in Reynoldsburg, Ohio, a suburban community east of Columbus.
IMAGE CAPTIONOhio - The Buckeye State, courtesy of the Orphan Film Symposium.
Rohauer Collection Foundation
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
Joyce Shenk
Rebecca Perry and Ben Towle
Lachelle Thigpen
Now Talks & More
2026 Orphan Film Symposium
