​Basement Films is proudly one of the few remaining first-generation micro-cinemas still in existence.
About Basement Films
Located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Basement Films is a non-profit, volunteer run organization that supports experimental, independent, and under-represented forms of film and videomaking. Our membership is made up of artists, activists, media makers and “film buffs.” Basement Films provides a forum for voices not heard in mainstream media. Since 1991, Basement Films has screened unique, moving-image work by artists from around the world... MORE
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Experiments in Cinema v20.0
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In Person April 16-20, 2025
Online Apr 28 - May 10, 2025
AV Show: Archive Deep Dive
From the deepest depths of the Basement Films Archive comes an evening of fascinating and unique film artifacts from the 20th century, presented on real live celluloid. Experimental animation, 70’s skateboard safety, Mel Brooks, decaying meat, picket fences, and more. One night only at the Southwest Film Center.
Friday November 15, 2024
at the ASUNM Southwest Film Center
UNM Student Union Building, bottom level
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Free admission
The Bryan Konefsky Fund is an annual award that was established to support moving image artists from around the world. The fund provides one award each year for an artist (30 years old or older) who has a project that, in some way, involves Albuquerque, New Mexico. Interested applicants should send inquiries to bkonefsky@gmail.com. There is no deadline, inquiries are accepted throughout the year.
THE BRYAN KONEFSKY FUND
​MICROCINEMA
The term "microcinema" was coined in the early 1990s by Rebecca Barton and David Sherman who founded Total Mobil Home Microcinema in San Francisco, which was in operation from 1993-1997. During the 1990s, “undependent” media artists (a term coined by My House microcinema owner Marc Moscato) discovered a robust circuit of microcinemas that popped up across the United States and around the world. As a result, filmmakers took to the road in much the same way that Punk Rock bands toured in the late 1970s. The venues were large and small—in the case of My House Cinema in Eugene, Oregon the screening room was located in Marc’s basement with the screen hung between his hot water heater and the furnace. A sold-out crowd at My House microcinema was 10 people—no more!
Presently, there is a second wave of microcinemas emerging and more artists are beginning to tour.
​ARCHIVE INFORMATION
Our projection equipment and film archive of more than 8,000 industrial, educational and ephemeral 16mm movies, 1000 8mm home movies and countless film strips are available for use by artists, filmmakers, and the community. The archive consists of media produced between the 1950’s and 1970’s which were used to socialize students, train employees and present a particular moral view of the world at community centers. Only recently are these films being saved and recognized for their historic value... MORE
