Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Digital Media, DVDs & Film Purchases

  • Are all of your titles available on DVD or in digital format?
  • Can I rent DVDs and Blu-rays?
  • 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 Foundation provide film stills and press kits?
  • How do I order a film?
  • Does Canyon Cinema Foundation rent film projectors?
  • Can Canyon Cinema Foundation staff advise me on films that may fit well into my program?

Distribution Program

  • How do I place my films with Canyon Cinema Foundation?
  • My films are at the Canyon Cinema Foundation, can I sell my DVDs or Blu-rays 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?

Hours and Location

  • When is your office open?
  • May I stop by Canyon Cinema Foundation?

Website and Visual Identity

  • Who designed the Canyon Cinema website?
  • Who designed the Canyon Cinema logo?
  • Where can I get a Canyon Cinema T-shirt?

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

Currently, only approximately 15 percent of our catalog includes works on DVD. Otherwise, titles are available on 16mm, 35mm, Super 8, or 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 Foundation. 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 Foundation 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 Foundation 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 Foundation staff member.

  • Does Canyon Cinema Foundation rent film projectors?

Not at this time.

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

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

  • How can I place my films with Canyon Cinema Foundation?

You must provide a DVD copy of a film 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 at Canyon Cinema Foundation are in the experimental, avant-garde and underground genre, including animation, narrative, documentary, and so on. They are non-commercial. You may refer to our “For Filmmakers” section of this site.

  • My films are at Canyon Cinema Foundation, can I sell my DVDs with you?

If your films are at Canyon Cinema Foundation, 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, Green, 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 6pm (Pacific Standard Time). We are primarily a two-person operation, so there are times when we are unable to answer the phone, but we are always sure to return calls and emails as soon as we can.

  • May I stop by Canyon Cinema Foundation?

We are currently open to the public by appointment only. To schedule a visit, please email info@canyoncinema.com. We are located on the 2nd floor of Yosemite Place, at 1777 Yosemite Avenue, Suite 210, in the Bayview neighborhood of San Francisco, California, USA.

  • Who designed the Canyon website?

Local San Francisco web design firm Exobi Interactive.

  • Who designed the Canyon Cinema logo?

Canyon actually has a number of logos! Which one? Local designer Jason Munn created the Canyon Cinema 50 logo. Longtime artist member Bruce Conner designed the Canyon CInema leader and inkblot logos. Canyon’s co-founder Bruce Baillie, meanwhile, originated Canyon Cinema’s first logo, featuring The Exothematic Man. 

  • Where can I get a Canyon Cinema T-shirt?

Great question! You can purchase Canyon Cinema T-shirts and other merchandise, as well as print catalogs, books, Canyon Cinemazine issues, and more, on our online store.


More questions?

Please feel free to contact us directly at info(at)canyoncinema.com or by phone at 1 (415) 626-2255.