Frequently Asked Questions

• DVDs & Film Purchases
  • Are all of your titles on DVD or digitally available?
  • Can I rent DVDs?
  • What does it mean to grant a “lease” for the life of the DVD or film?
  • How do I go about purchasing a title on motion picture film (16mm, 35mm, Super 8mm, or Regular 8mm)?
• Exhibition
  • Does Canyon Cinema provide photos and press-kits?
  • How do I order a film?
  • Can an individual rent films?
  • Does Canyon Cinema rent film projectors?
  • Can Canyon Cinema staff advise me on films that may fit well into my program?
• Distribution
  • How can I put my films into distribution with Canyon Cinema?
  • I have just become a member of Canyon Cinema! Can I sell my DVDs with you?
• Shipping
  • I’m shipping a film back to you. For how much do I insure the films?
  • I am shipping a film back to you. How fast do you need the film back to your offices?

• Contact
  • When is your office open?
  • May I stop by Canyon Cinema?
• Web site
  • Who designed the new site?
  • Who designed the new logo?

• Are all of your titles on DVD or digitally available?

Currently, only approximately 10 percent of our catalog includes works on DVD. Otherwise, titles are available on 16mm, 35mm, Super 8mm, or Regular 8mm motion picture film, and are listed as such in our catalog.

• Can I rent DVDs?

DVDs are for sale only to individuals and institutions. Sale of DVDs does not imply exhibition rights. Permission for public exhibition must be granted by Canyon Cinema. If your institution is interested in exhibiting any work as a loop installation or other context, please contact our office as there are special cases where this may be arranged.

• What does it mean to grant a “lease” for the life of the DVD or film?

It means that the DVD is yours for home use (in the case of individuals) or for library and research purposes (in the case of institutional purchase) for the lasting life of that DVD or film.

• How do I go about purchasing a title on motion picture film (16mm, 35mm, Super 8mm, or Regular 8mm)?

You may contact the Canyon Cinema office to inquire on a case-by-case basis.  It is very rare for film labs to stock Super 8mm print stock, and Regular 8mm print stock ceased production many years ago.

• Does Canyon Cinema provide photos and press-kits?

Not at this time. Information on each film is contained in our online catalog. Photos on our web site are sometimes available in high resolution versions; please contact our office for more information.

• How do I order a film?

You may fill out an inquiry form or contact the office with complete billing, shipping, email address, show date, and other contact information so that the exhibition may be arranged. Bookings are not final until you have received an official confirmation from a Canyon Cinema staff member.

• Can an individual rent films?

Yes. You must have valid credit card information, an operable projector, and confirm with Canyon Cinema staff the exhibition context.

• Does Canyon Cinema rent film projectors?

Not at this time.

• Can Canyon Cinema staff advise me on films that may fit well into my program?

Yes. You may email or call Canyon Cinema and our staff would be happy to speak with you about your curriculum or exhibition schedule.

• How can I put my films into distribution with Canyon Cinema?

In order to become a member, you must provide a DVD copy of a film you would like to distribute for review. The title must be finished, and on motion picture film, which includes 16mm, 35mm, Super 8mm, and Regular 8mm formats. The bulk of the films in distribution with Canyon Cinema are in the experimental, avant-garde and underground genre, including animation, narrative, documentary, and so on. You may refer to our “For Filmmakers” section of this site.

• I have just become a member of Canyon Cinema! Can I sell my DVDs with you?

As a service to our filmmaker members, we will lease for the life of the DVD to individuals and institutions; this includes works that are originally made on digital media or videotape, as well as works that exist on film.

• I’m shipping a film back to you. For how much do I insure the films?

Many services provide only a limit of $1000 for insuring motion picture film (this includes Fedex and UPS). Please insure for this maximum amount; the exhibitor/renter is still responsible for a film’s damage or loss on its way back from a rental.

• I am shipping a film back to you. How fast do you need the film back to your offices?

Look out for a Blue or Pink slip inside the box, which will indicate to you any expedited shipping needs on our part. If there is no slip inside the shipping box, you may return the film via Ground service the day following the screening.

• When is your office open?

We are open Monday, through Friday, 10AM  to 5PM. We are a two person operation, so there are times when we must step out, but we are always sure to return calls and emails promptly.

• May I stop by Canyon Cinema?

Yes. Advance notice is preferred, but we welcome visitors. We are located on the 2^nd floor of Yosemite Place, at 1777 Yosemite Avenue, Suite 210, right off of 3rd Street in San Francisco, California, USA.

• Who designed the new web site?

Local San Francisco web design firm Exobi Interactive.

• Who designed the new logo?

Local designer Jason Munn.

More questions?
Please feel free to contact us directly at +1 415.626.2255 or info@canyoncinema.com