The Space: Retro Cinema and Beyond!
Donation protected
The Space is an exciting new film and arts venue coming to the South Jersey/Philadelphia area. The Space will be home to rare & exclusive cinematic events, a cult/horror film Blu-ray store front, Cosmic Arkade, a dedicated classic pinball and video arcade experience, and one of the largest 35 mm film archives in the United States. The creation of The Space is already underway, but we need your support to help this project reach its full potential!
BACKGROUND: WHO WE ARE
The creators of The Space have been heavily involved in the world of cult cinema for over two decades. As members of the cooperative Exhumed Films, we have presented hundreds of classic horror, science fiction, and exploitation film screenings throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania since Exhumed’s founding in 1997. In an effort to preserve the “retro” cinematic experience, all of our movies are projected from original 35 mm or 16 mm film prints. Exhumed Films is perhaps best known for its annual marathon movie events such as The 24 Hour Horror-thon, eX-Fest, Camp Blood, and Zombiefest, and we have hosted legendary guests like John Waters, Bruce Campbell, Tom Savini, and H.G. Lewis, among many others. Exhumed has twice been named “Best of Philly” by Philadelphia Magazine and has been written about in The Philadelphia Inquirer, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and--most prestigiously--Fangoria.
In addition to our work with Exhumed Films, the individuals behind The Space have spearheaded other important contributions to the cult cinema community, such as Diabolik DVD and Garagehouse Pictures. Diabolik is one of the world’s foremost Blu-ray and DVD import/distribution companies, and Garagehouse Pictures is a Blu-ray label dedicated to releasing extremely rare and previously unseen genre oddities.
Perhaps most significantly, the members of Exhumed Films have undertaken a massive effort to rescue, restore, and re-circulate literally thousands of 35 mm film prints and trailers. Over the course of twenty years, the members have amassed an incredible collection of movies which are shared with cinemas across the globe. If you have attended 35 mm film screenings at locations such as The Alamo Drafthouse, The New Beverly, American Cinematheque, Cinefamily, Anthology Film Archives, The Music Box Theatre, Hudson Horror Show, and countless others, then you have almost certainly viewed film prints which came from our archive. Without hyperbole we can assert that our collection is one of the largest film preservation efforts in the country, if not the world. And because this archive continues to grow and flourish, it is time for us to also expand the possibilities for our films and our organization. This is why we are creating The Space.
THE CONCEPT: A SPACE FOR FANS OF FILM AND FUN
The exterior of The Space! Our building is purchased and undergoing transformation!
The Space will be a multi-purpose entertainment facility that will allow our various ventures to continue to expand. This is not just a pipe dream: we have purchased a property in South Jersey and construction & remodeling are currently underway! The Space will offer the following amenities to the public:
35 MM FILM PRINT ARCHIVE
First and foremost, The Space will serve as the new headquarters for our film archive. The film and trailer collection has expanded to the point where it has outgrown the storage units currently housing all of the prints. Moreover, the overwhelming size of the archive and the lack of accessibility afforded by the cramped storage units makes it extremely difficult to locate prints with ease, which impacts the ability to loan our movies to other theaters around the world. With our new dedicated archive space, we will be able to catalog and easily access the collection, which in turn will allow us to better serve film programmers hoping to utilize our prints. Believe us when we say that creating this new archive space will benefit not just our own screenings, but repertory film events nationwide.
FILM SCREENING ROOMS
Future home of The Space screening rooms!
The Space will also feature TWO separate screening rooms supporting 16 mm, 35 mm, and digital projection. The screening rooms will host Exhumed Films programming as well as other independent cinema events. Each theater will feature high quality sound and projection, assuring a exceptional and comfortable viewing experience. The screening rooms will also be available for private rental: have you ever thought of programming your own double feature and inviting your friends, or introducing your children to cinematic classics on the big screen? The screening rooms at The Space can make it happen! Choose your favorite films from our vast 16 mm & 35 mm archive (or from digital media) and create the movie marathon you’ve always dreamed of!
BLU-RAY & DVD STOREFRONT
As mentioned above, the creators of The Space are also the owners of the online store Diabolik DVD and the Blu-ray label Garagehouse Pictures. Building The Space will allow us to also create a small storefront for sales of Diabolik and Garagehouse products. Patrons who come to The Space for public screenings or private events will also be able to pick up their favorite DVD’s or Blu-rays without worrying about shipping times or expenses! In an age where physical media is becoming harder and harder to purchase offline, the storefront will be a welcome convenience for the cult film connoisseur.
CLASSIC PINBALL & ARCADE GAME ROOM
In addition to being movie buffs, the creators of The Space are also collectors of vintage arcade games and pinball machines. We will be pulling from our personal collections to create “Cosmic Arkade,” a dedicated game room where guests can relive the heyday of classic video gaming and pinball parlors! Featuring several dozen different machines on free play, Cosmic Arkade will be open during film screenings and public events, or available for private rentals.
THE PITCH: WE NEED YOUR HELP!
As you can see, we have truly ambitious plans for The Space. And make no mistake: The Space is happening! Work is already underway to house the film archive, with construction of the screening rooms following shortly thereafter. This is by far the biggest project we have undertaken in two decades of film programming, but it is also the most exciting. We started Exhumed Films and Diabolik DVD and Garagehouse Pictures as DIY efforts for the benefit of the film community, and we have been fortunate to meet with much success along the way. The Space will be a logical extension of our previous efforts and will allow us to offer exciting new programming and entertainment options for local audiences, and also provide greater access to classic 35 mm film prints to film fans everywhere. Please help us share our passion for cinema with an even wider audience!
In an effort to make The Space as amazing as possible--and in order to complete the project in the shortest amount of time--we need your support. As you can imagine, the cost of constructing a theater/arts space from the ground up is daunting. That is why we are reaching out to our friends, our audience, and our supporters for financial assistance. Every dollar donated to our Gofundme will be put directly into the rehabilitation of our building and the construction of the archive space, theaters, arcade, and storefront. We will accept and appreciate donations of any amount, but we have also created some specific rewards for contributions at different price points:
$1 to $49: SUPPORTER OF THE SPACE!
As a supporter of The Space, you receive our heartfelt thanks and gratitude, and the knowledge that you are contributing to a noble artistic endeavor!
$50: FRIEND OF THE SPACE!
Friends of The Space are entitled to all the good karma that being a supporter brings, but friends will also receive an exclusive t-shirt from The Space! (Donation at this level includes all previous rewards; all rewards payable upon the completion and opening of The Space)
$75: MEMBER OF THE SPACE!
Membership definitely has its privileges. Contributing $75 or more entitles you to a year’s membership to The Space. Members will receive discounted admission to selected events and will receive FREE admission to exclusive “members only” screenings taking place throughout the year. (Donation at this level includes all previous rewards; all rewards payable upon the completion and opening of The Space)
$150: FOUNDING MEMBER OF THE SPACE!
Founding members will get all the same perks as members, but will also receive additional bonus rewards such as access to a reserved seating area for screenings, admission to additional members only events, and a DVD/Blu-ray sampler pack from Garagehouse Pictures and Diabolik DVD. Founding members will also have their names displayed in the venue as special thanks for their patronage! (Donation at this level includes all previous rewards; all rewards payable upon the completion and opening of The Space)
$500: GUEST SINGLE FEATURE PROGRAMMER FOR THE SPACE! (47 of 50 rewards remaining)
What’s your favorite movie of all time? As a guest programmer, you will be able to select any print from the archive and host a private film screening for you and up to fifty guests! If the film you want to screen is not available from the archive, you can choose to show your film digitally. Guests will also have free access to Cosmic Arkade during the private event. Please note: the specific date and time for your private event will be subject to venue and staffing availability (Donation at this level includes all previous rewards; all rewards payable upon the completion and opening of The Space)
$1000: GUEST DOUBLE FEATURE PROGRAMMER FOR THE SPACE! (25 of 25 rewards remaining)
Here’s your chance to put together your ideal double feature! As a guest programmer, you will be able to select any two film prints from the archive and host a private double feature screening for you and up to fifty guests! If the films you want to screen are not available from the archive, you can choose to show your films digitally. Guests will also have free access to Cosmic Arkade during the private event. Please note: the specific date and time for your private event will be subject to venue and staffing availability (Donation at this level includes all previous rewards EXCEPT the guest programmer single feature; all rewards payable upon the completion and opening of The Space)
$2500: GUEST MOVIE MARATHON MOGUL FOR THE SPACE! (9 of 10 rewards remaining)
This is it: the ultimate film fan field day! Program your own personal movie marathon--select up to five prints from our impressive archive (or digital versions) and invite up to fifty guests to join you for a full day (or overnight!) private film festival of your choosing! Whether you love horror, science fiction, action, westerns, crime films, or classics, you will have an amazing assortment of titles at your disposal. Guests will also have free access to Cosmic Arkade during the private event. Please note: the specific date and time for your private event will be subject to venue and staffing availability (Donation at this level includes all previous rewards EXCEPT the guest programmer single or double features; all rewards payable upon the completion and opening of The Space)
In order to claim one of the above-mentioned rewards, please email us at [email redacted] after your donation so we can keep you updated on reward details as they become available!
BACKGROUND: WHO WE ARE
The creators of The Space have been heavily involved in the world of cult cinema for over two decades. As members of the cooperative Exhumed Films, we have presented hundreds of classic horror, science fiction, and exploitation film screenings throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania since Exhumed’s founding in 1997. In an effort to preserve the “retro” cinematic experience, all of our movies are projected from original 35 mm or 16 mm film prints. Exhumed Films is perhaps best known for its annual marathon movie events such as The 24 Hour Horror-thon, eX-Fest, Camp Blood, and Zombiefest, and we have hosted legendary guests like John Waters, Bruce Campbell, Tom Savini, and H.G. Lewis, among many others. Exhumed has twice been named “Best of Philly” by Philadelphia Magazine and has been written about in The Philadelphia Inquirer, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and--most prestigiously--Fangoria.
In addition to our work with Exhumed Films, the individuals behind The Space have spearheaded other important contributions to the cult cinema community, such as Diabolik DVD and Garagehouse Pictures. Diabolik is one of the world’s foremost Blu-ray and DVD import/distribution companies, and Garagehouse Pictures is a Blu-ray label dedicated to releasing extremely rare and previously unseen genre oddities.
Perhaps most significantly, the members of Exhumed Films have undertaken a massive effort to rescue, restore, and re-circulate literally thousands of 35 mm film prints and trailers. Over the course of twenty years, the members have amassed an incredible collection of movies which are shared with cinemas across the globe. If you have attended 35 mm film screenings at locations such as The Alamo Drafthouse, The New Beverly, American Cinematheque, Cinefamily, Anthology Film Archives, The Music Box Theatre, Hudson Horror Show, and countless others, then you have almost certainly viewed film prints which came from our archive. Without hyperbole we can assert that our collection is one of the largest film preservation efforts in the country, if not the world. And because this archive continues to grow and flourish, it is time for us to also expand the possibilities for our films and our organization. This is why we are creating The Space.
THE CONCEPT: A SPACE FOR FANS OF FILM AND FUN
The exterior of The Space! Our building is purchased and undergoing transformation!The Space will be a multi-purpose entertainment facility that will allow our various ventures to continue to expand. This is not just a pipe dream: we have purchased a property in South Jersey and construction & remodeling are currently underway! The Space will offer the following amenities to the public:
35 MM FILM PRINT ARCHIVE
First and foremost, The Space will serve as the new headquarters for our film archive. The film and trailer collection has expanded to the point where it has outgrown the storage units currently housing all of the prints. Moreover, the overwhelming size of the archive and the lack of accessibility afforded by the cramped storage units makes it extremely difficult to locate prints with ease, which impacts the ability to loan our movies to other theaters around the world. With our new dedicated archive space, we will be able to catalog and easily access the collection, which in turn will allow us to better serve film programmers hoping to utilize our prints. Believe us when we say that creating this new archive space will benefit not just our own screenings, but repertory film events nationwide.
FILM SCREENING ROOMS
Future home of The Space screening rooms!The Space will also feature TWO separate screening rooms supporting 16 mm, 35 mm, and digital projection. The screening rooms will host Exhumed Films programming as well as other independent cinema events. Each theater will feature high quality sound and projection, assuring a exceptional and comfortable viewing experience. The screening rooms will also be available for private rental: have you ever thought of programming your own double feature and inviting your friends, or introducing your children to cinematic classics on the big screen? The screening rooms at The Space can make it happen! Choose your favorite films from our vast 16 mm & 35 mm archive (or from digital media) and create the movie marathon you’ve always dreamed of!
BLU-RAY & DVD STOREFRONT
As mentioned above, the creators of The Space are also the owners of the online store Diabolik DVD and the Blu-ray label Garagehouse Pictures. Building The Space will allow us to also create a small storefront for sales of Diabolik and Garagehouse products. Patrons who come to The Space for public screenings or private events will also be able to pick up their favorite DVD’s or Blu-rays without worrying about shipping times or expenses! In an age where physical media is becoming harder and harder to purchase offline, the storefront will be a welcome convenience for the cult film connoisseur.
CLASSIC PINBALL & ARCADE GAME ROOM
In addition to being movie buffs, the creators of The Space are also collectors of vintage arcade games and pinball machines. We will be pulling from our personal collections to create “Cosmic Arkade,” a dedicated game room where guests can relive the heyday of classic video gaming and pinball parlors! Featuring several dozen different machines on free play, Cosmic Arkade will be open during film screenings and public events, or available for private rentals.
THE PITCH: WE NEED YOUR HELP!
As you can see, we have truly ambitious plans for The Space. And make no mistake: The Space is happening! Work is already underway to house the film archive, with construction of the screening rooms following shortly thereafter. This is by far the biggest project we have undertaken in two decades of film programming, but it is also the most exciting. We started Exhumed Films and Diabolik DVD and Garagehouse Pictures as DIY efforts for the benefit of the film community, and we have been fortunate to meet with much success along the way. The Space will be a logical extension of our previous efforts and will allow us to offer exciting new programming and entertainment options for local audiences, and also provide greater access to classic 35 mm film prints to film fans everywhere. Please help us share our passion for cinema with an even wider audience!
In an effort to make The Space as amazing as possible--and in order to complete the project in the shortest amount of time--we need your support. As you can imagine, the cost of constructing a theater/arts space from the ground up is daunting. That is why we are reaching out to our friends, our audience, and our supporters for financial assistance. Every dollar donated to our Gofundme will be put directly into the rehabilitation of our building and the construction of the archive space, theaters, arcade, and storefront. We will accept and appreciate donations of any amount, but we have also created some specific rewards for contributions at different price points:
$1 to $49: SUPPORTER OF THE SPACE!
As a supporter of The Space, you receive our heartfelt thanks and gratitude, and the knowledge that you are contributing to a noble artistic endeavor!
$50: FRIEND OF THE SPACE!
Friends of The Space are entitled to all the good karma that being a supporter brings, but friends will also receive an exclusive t-shirt from The Space! (Donation at this level includes all previous rewards; all rewards payable upon the completion and opening of The Space)
$75: MEMBER OF THE SPACE!
Membership definitely has its privileges. Contributing $75 or more entitles you to a year’s membership to The Space. Members will receive discounted admission to selected events and will receive FREE admission to exclusive “members only” screenings taking place throughout the year. (Donation at this level includes all previous rewards; all rewards payable upon the completion and opening of The Space)
$150: FOUNDING MEMBER OF THE SPACE!
Founding members will get all the same perks as members, but will also receive additional bonus rewards such as access to a reserved seating area for screenings, admission to additional members only events, and a DVD/Blu-ray sampler pack from Garagehouse Pictures and Diabolik DVD. Founding members will also have their names displayed in the venue as special thanks for their patronage! (Donation at this level includes all previous rewards; all rewards payable upon the completion and opening of The Space)
$500: GUEST SINGLE FEATURE PROGRAMMER FOR THE SPACE! (47 of 50 rewards remaining)
What’s your favorite movie of all time? As a guest programmer, you will be able to select any print from the archive and host a private film screening for you and up to fifty guests! If the film you want to screen is not available from the archive, you can choose to show your film digitally. Guests will also have free access to Cosmic Arkade during the private event. Please note: the specific date and time for your private event will be subject to venue and staffing availability (Donation at this level includes all previous rewards; all rewards payable upon the completion and opening of The Space)
$1000: GUEST DOUBLE FEATURE PROGRAMMER FOR THE SPACE! (25 of 25 rewards remaining)
Here’s your chance to put together your ideal double feature! As a guest programmer, you will be able to select any two film prints from the archive and host a private double feature screening for you and up to fifty guests! If the films you want to screen are not available from the archive, you can choose to show your films digitally. Guests will also have free access to Cosmic Arkade during the private event. Please note: the specific date and time for your private event will be subject to venue and staffing availability (Donation at this level includes all previous rewards EXCEPT the guest programmer single feature; all rewards payable upon the completion and opening of The Space)
$2500: GUEST MOVIE MARATHON MOGUL FOR THE SPACE! (9 of 10 rewards remaining)
This is it: the ultimate film fan field day! Program your own personal movie marathon--select up to five prints from our impressive archive (or digital versions) and invite up to fifty guests to join you for a full day (or overnight!) private film festival of your choosing! Whether you love horror, science fiction, action, westerns, crime films, or classics, you will have an amazing assortment of titles at your disposal. Guests will also have free access to Cosmic Arkade during the private event. Please note: the specific date and time for your private event will be subject to venue and staffing availability (Donation at this level includes all previous rewards EXCEPT the guest programmer single or double features; all rewards payable upon the completion and opening of The Space)
In order to claim one of the above-mentioned rewards, please email us at [email redacted] after your donation so we can keep you updated on reward details as they become available!
Organizer and beneficiary
Dan Fraga
Organizer
Mount Ephraim, NJ
Harry Guerro
Beneficiary