The home movie has existed since technology provided an easy-to-use consumer format of moving image capture. Stories illustrated through the amateur photographer document a unique viewpoint of the every-day-person of their time.
The Al Larvick Conservation Fund, officially founded in 2014, supports the conservation and public accessibility of analog home movies, amateur cinema and community recordings of yesteryear. The nonprofit does this by grant-making, conducting live screening and educational events and recording oral histories.
Through lab sponsorship and fundraising, the Al Larvick Conservation Fund has supported the conservation and digital capture of many thousands of feet in collection holder films and analog videotape by way of two grant opportunities. Grantees retain ownership of their original and newly digitized media.
The Al Larvick Family Film Collection is privately held, consisting of around 65 reels of 8mm film recorded by Al Larvick, his brother-in-law Elmer Larson and other family and community members from 1953 to 1980.
The Larvick films in tandem with the fund’s grant recipient collections are used creatively to exhibit regional histories with community member stories, as well as reveal broader themes that reach beyond the personal. These events elicit memory sharing, the discovery of commonalities and a celebration of differences, while illuminating the cultural importance of the home movie. To learn more visit allarvickfund.org