Last Friday in New York, the Film-Makers’ Cooperative marked its 65th anniversary with a downtown soirée that reflected its storied past while looking to its future—a hallmark moment for the oldest nonprofit in the United States devoted to preserving and circulating experimental film. Founded in 1961 by 22 artists—including Jonas Mekas, Shirley Clarke, Ken Jacobs, and Jack Smith—the organization serves as a living archive of the legacy of film experimentation, with screenings, workshops, and a broad distribution catalogue. Its benefit saw the Judson Memorial Church turned into a packed house of artists, performers, and filmmakers alike raising a toast to its mission.
The Locale: The church’s gothic setting offered an air of dramatic gravitas to the evening. Guests mingled beneath shifting projections of silent films, which washed the sanctuary walls in flickering light.
The Entertainment: Multi-instrumentalist Isaiah Barr opened the festivities with a saxophone and drum performance, setting the stage for the revelry ahead. Brittany Bailey presented a recreation of choreographer Yvonne Rainer’s Trio A, and the night closed with a melodic performance by musician Kinlaw.
What You Missed: A series of acceptance speeches came from notable stars of image capture including photographer Nan Goldin and video and performance artist Joan Jonas, as well as an honor for filmmaker John Waters (who was unable to be present).
The Crowd: The guest list reflected the Cooperative’s wide cultural reach, with artists Agathe Snow, Molly Soda, Maya Man, Joey Frank, Rachel Rossin, Kembra Pfahler; actors Angela Trimbur, Bobbi Salvör Menuez, and Talia Ryder; photographer Luisa Opalesky; filmmaker Kathy Brew; producer Jake Perlin; critic J. Hoberman; and director Elizabeth LeCompte.
Parting Gift: During the shoppable evening, guests browsed the Cooperative’s collection of artwork, film ephemera, and merchandise. Attendees left with select film memorabilia tucked underarm alongside the CULTURED at Home design issue.
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