What Happens to Film Reels After They Leave Movie Theaters

When a movie concludes its run in a movie theater, what happens to the film reels can vary widely. This article explores the different fates of film reels, including their return, recycling, storage, archiving, and potential sale or auction. Here's what you need to know.

Return to Distributors

For many theaters, the most common practice is to return the physical film reels to the distributor or studio after the screening period. This tradition is more relevant for traditional film formats, although many theaters have since transitioned to digital formats. This ensures that the studios can account for their intellectual property and maintain their inventory.

Recycling

Some theaters recycle film reels, especially if they are no longer needed or have been damaged. The materials can often be repurposed into other useful products, thus promoting the eco-friendly practices of the movie industry.

Storage

In some cases, theaters might choose to store the reels for a period of time. This can be done if they anticipate a future re-release or if the films are culturally significant. For example, classic films or those with historical importance might be stored for preservation or restoration purposes.

Archiving

Certain films, especially those that are culturally or historically significant, might be archived by the studio or a film preservation organization for future use or restoration. Archiving helps ensure that important works of cinema are not lost to the sands of time.

Sale or Auction

Occasionally, old film reels may be sold or auctioned to collectors, film enthusiasts, or memorabilia shops. This can provide financial benefits for both the theater and the studios, while also ensuring that the material is appreciated by a new audience.

Promotional Use

Some theaters might keep certain film reels for promotional purposes or special events. For example, they might use them for anniversary celebrations or themed screenings. This not only helps increase engagement with the audience but also keeps the reels in circulation.

The Shift to Digital Cinema

The fate of film reels has become less common with the rise of digital cinema. Most theaters now operate with digital files rather than physical reels. Instead of film prints, movies are often screened digitally from Digital Cinema Packages (DCPs).

Understanding Prints and DCPs

In the past, prints were seen as essential for movie screenings. However, with the advent of digital technology, prints have become largely obsolete. These prints were only licensed temporarily to theaters by distributors. The distributor kept strict control over these prints, ensuring that they were disposed of properly when no longer needed.

For some years, movies have been screened digitally from DCPs, not prints. A DCP is a dedicated hard drive package that is not the property of the theater. A movie on the DCP is highly encrypted and can only be played on authorized projectors using a specific key. This means the DCP cannot be copied, cloned, or recorded from the projector. After the screening period, the DCP is returned to the distributor and wiped for reuse.

Conclusion

The transition from physical film reels to digital cinema marks a significant shift in the film industry. While the use of film reels has become less common, it's still important to understand their various fates and the importance of digital preservation. Whether through return, recycling, storage, archiving, sale, or promotional use, film reels leave a significant mark on the legacy of cinema.