Todd Clausen

@ToddJClausen

Rochester-based filmmaker announces initiative with crowdfunding platform.

Eastman Kodak Co. is going to give away film.

The Rochester-based imaging and technology company announced on Monday a new initiative with crowdfunding site Kickstarter to put its film in the hands of independent filmmakers who want it.

The program is open to artists using either 35mm or s16mm film launching a campaign on Kickstarter. Kodak will provide its film free of charge up to certain limits to pre-selected participants.

Kodak will match 20 percent of the first $100,000 raised by the filmmakers on Kickstarter in 35mm film, up to a max of $20,000. It also will provide a 15 percent match in s16mm of the first $100,000 raised, up to a max of $15,000.

Kodak will provide discounted pricing on supplemental motion picture film purchases for the project.

Kickstarter said that roughly 20,000 film and video projects have been successfully funded on the platform through approximately $330 million in pledges.

"We want to make it easier for filmmakers to focus on storytelling and making their art come to life in the most vibrant medium possible and this partnership lets Kickstarter creators do just that," George Schmalz, Kickstarter's film outreach lead, said in a release. "We are thrilled to share Kodak's mission to celebrate the art of filmmaking."

Filmmakers interested in participating should email kodakfilm@kickstarter.com.

"Kodak understands that artists working at all budget levels strive to tell their stories with unique quality and emotion the film provides," Anne Hubbell, Kodak's vice president of Motion Picture, said in the release. "We are dedicated to ensuring that the medium remains available and viable for established and emerging filmmakers alike."

TCLAUSEN@Gannett.com