Home Movie Day

Home Movie Day was started in 2002 by a group of film archivists concerned about what would happen to all the home movies shot on film during the 20th century. They knew many people have boxes full of family memories that they've never seen for lack of a projector, or out of fear that the films were too fragile to be viewed. They also knew that many people were having their amateur films transferred to videotape or DVD, with the mistaken idea that their new digital copies would last forever and the "obsolete" films could be discarded. Original films (and the equipment required to view them) can long outlast any version on VHS tape, DVDs, or other digital media. Not only that, but contrary to the stereotype of the faded, scratched, and shaky home movie image, the original films are often carefully shot in beautiful, vibrant color—which may not be captured in a lower-resolution video transfer.

Home Movie Day has grown into a worldwide celebration of these amateur films, during which people in cities and towns all over meet their local film archivists, find out about the archival advantages of film over video and digital media, and—most importantly—get to watch those old family films! Because they are local events, Home Movie Day screenings can focus on family and community histories in a meaningful way. They also present education and outreach opportunities for local archivists, who can share information about the proper storage and care of personal films, and how to plan for their future.

The first Home Movie Day took place on August 16, 2003, and has been followed each year with successful events hosted by an increasing number of volunteers worldwide. Home Movie Day celebrated its eighth anniversary in 2010. Click here for a list of the local venues that participated in 2010.

To participate in Home Movie Day as a volunteer or local host, see Get involved with HMD! We also welcome cash or in-kind donations in support of our efforts year-round—please see HMD Sponsors for information about how you can help!

Home Movie Day is coordinated as a project of the Center for Home Movies, a registered 501(c)(3) public benefit corporation.