FREE FILM : NYC
EAST WILLIAMSBURG
February 16th -March 17th
Neighborhood: East Williamsburg
Partner: Contact Photo
Prompt: One Square Mile
Artist: Raine Roberts
This February we’ll be launching FREE FILM : NYC - E. Williamsburg! In collaboration with ContactPhoto, FREE FILM : NYC seeks to document our communities and city, by democratizing the documentation of our ever-shifting realities.
As part of the project, we invite photographers of all levels to participate bye photographing the neighborhood as a response to the promo “One Square Mile”. From February 17th to March 17th our Airstream mobile-darkroom will distribute free rolls of 35mm film to the general public. Participants can drop off their film at the mailbox of the Airstream when they are done photographing. WORTHLESSSTUDIOS and our darkroom partner Picture House + thesmalldarkroom will develop the film and mail negatives to the participants after the program is over.
The project kicks off on February 17th, at 12PM, with our FREE FILM : NYC - E. Williamsburg Opening Party, at WORTHLESSSTUDIOS, located on 7 Knickerbocker Ave, and you’re invited!
HOW IT WORKS
Step 1: When a new neighborhood is launched, photographers come pick up a roll and celebrate the kick off with WORTHLESSSTUDIOS wherever the Airstream darkroom is parked. Photographers fill out a sign-up form to join and film is given out on a first come, first served basis.
Step 2: Participating photographers have a month to shoot their roll of film on the prompt of “ONE SQUARE MILE” within the boundaries of the current neighborhood. Participants are asked to interpret the theme however they see fit.
Step 3: Once they have shot their film, participants return their roll of film (with their name written on it) by the deadline and fill out the return form to ensure their film is processed. There will be a drop location that can receive film at all times.
Step 4: WORTHLESSSTUDIOS will process all film and scans will be emailed FOR FREE to photographers, whether or not they choose to have their negatives returned. WORTHLESSSTUDIOS develops film and sends scans on a rolling basis so the sooner you return the sooner you get your scans.
Step 5: The images could be published into a hardcover book! FREE FILM : NYC will travel to multiple neighborhoods over the next 18 months distributing film on the same prompt phrase. Once all the neighborhoods are complete a selection of images from each neighborhood will be put together and published as a book like we’ve done for the last three iterations of the project.
Find out more about FREE FILM public events, workshops, and upcoming iterations by subscribing to the WORTHLESSSTUDIOS newsletter below.
PUBLIC PROGRAMMING
Saturday, February 24th, 12PM-3PM
Workshop: Film Photography 101
Join Raine to learn the basics of film photography, from using the camera to developing a roll!
Wednesday, March 13th, 7PM-10PM
Portrait Evening
Come hang out for an evening of portraits at the WORTHLESSSTUDIOS photo studio!
Saturday, March 2nd, 12PM-3PM
Workshop: Film Photography 101
Come learn the fundamentals of black and white printing! Meet us at the Airstream mobile darkroom.
March 16th and 17th, 12PM-4PM
Film return weekend
Find us at the Airstream to drop-off your roll of FREE FILM. You can drop it off 24/7 on the Airstream’s mailbox
Saturday and Sunday, March 9th-10th, 12PM-3PM
Weekend workshop, Co-Lead Sierra Enea.
Sign up for a two-day workshop of creative techniques with Raine Roberts and Sierra Enea as a guest workshop lead!
ABOUT RAINE ROBERTS
Raine Roberts is a Chicago-born, Brooklyn-based photographer, video artist and sculptor whose work delves into the delicate fluctuations between structure and chaos. She photographs architecture, bodies, and the natural environment and displays these works on mediums that will erode and change over time.
She earned her BFA in Film Productions (2019) and BA in Communications - Rhetorical Analysis (2019) from the University of Colorado at Boulder. Raine studied at the International Center of Photography (2023), honing her analog photography and darkroom processes, in order to transition to photographic-sculpture work. Since graduating, she has exhibited her work in a solo exhibition at Westlab + Gallery, and a group exhibition with APStudiosBrooklyn. Raine is a member of the photography group SmallTable Collective.
About Contactphoto
Contact Photo offers a diverse range of events and classes aimed at educating individuals who wish to deepen their understanding of photography as an artistic medium. They host bi-monthly critique meetings that are open to anyone interested in photography that captures real-life experiences. These meetings provide a valuable opportunity for individuals to share their work, exchange experiences, techniques, and anything else that aids in their growth as photographers.
Contactphoto facilitates exploration of photography for all those interested, fostering engagement with a local community that shares resources and promotes individual work. Additionally, they regularly produce zines, organize exhibitions, talks, and events to showcase the exceptional photographs they discover from talented photographers.