Last month, we wrote about a Kickstarter campaign launched by PROXY to help fund the construction and maintenance of a walk-in public movie theater in Hayes Valley. The goal was to raise $150,000 by today, a sum which would go towards finishing the movie screen and purchasing a digital projector, power resources and speakers.
This afternoon, the Kickstarter wrapped up, raising $81,049. It's a hefty chunk of change, but unfortunately well below the required $150,000. As this Kickstarter was "all or nothing," none of the money pledged will reach the project, so in many ways PROXY is back to square one.
But the team behind PROXY, the temporary community space occupying two blocks of Octavia Boulevard between Hayes and Oak, is not deterred. "Our Plan B is to continue to fundraise," says Lindsey Schott, Director of Communications at PR architecture and design firm envelope A+D, which is behind the PROXY project. She tells us that PROXY has launched a 501(c)3 nonprofit called HERE FOR NOW, which will continue raising funds to make the walk-in movie theater a reality. "We’re imploring all of our Kickstarter backers to transfer their pledges," Schott told us.
As for the proposed Fall Film Festival, sponsors are still being sought out, and the project hasn't been abandoned. But in order to make it happen, there's still some work that has to be done.
"Our biggest hurdle will be purchasing a digital projector. At a cost of at least $67,000, it dwarfs any single other expense and the cost per rental is roughly $4,000—not sustainable in the long (or even short) run," Schott said.
If you're one of the 215 backers who supported the movie theater on Kickstarter, you can head over to HERE FOR NOW's donation page to re-pledge funds to make the theater happen. We'll keep you updated on the project as it progresses.
