In Belgrade, two weeks before NATO began dropping bombs on Yugoslavia, an old gunpowder factory drew an audience of over 300 people to watch a screening of Independent Exposure. We are excited to present short films and videos, because each work represents a new acquaintance with a young and creative filmmaker full of passion and a healthy soul that has become very rare during the past 10 years in Serbia. Of course, no story on alternative exhibition venues would be complete without mentioning Hunter Mann's Highway Cinema program. A cinematic gypsy, Mann travels by bicycle, with a 16mm projector and films in a trailer behind him. He hits small towns in Canada, the United States and Mexico, where he delights the people with films while the locals provide the concessions.
Technology is typically the second largest hurdle for the microcinema.
Many microcinemas are physically unable to house a 35mm film projector, so the ease and portability of 16mm film and video projection equipment are attractive alternatives. There is no lack of programming choices for the microcinema operator. Typically, microcinemas host retrospective programs or create unique themes and present both old and new works that fit those themes. Microcinemas will often host local film and video festivals, or pre-curated, touring packages from other microcinemas, museums or film societies. Microcinemas will often combine film and video events with music and visual arts provided by local artists.