The popularity of streaming services has skyrocketed in recent years with many individuals turning to online platforms for entertainment and education. However, finding high-quality content that aligns with the values and goals of libraries and universities can be a challenge. That's where Projectr comes in.
Projectr is a new streaming service produced by Grasshopper Film that provides users with a wide selection of independent and educational content. This article delves into the reasons behind Grasshopper's decision to establish Projectr, the target audience it seeks to reach, the content available on the platform, and the various ways in which Projectr enhances classroom materials, library programming, and film screening events.
Why Projectr Was Created
Distributors at Grasshopper Film saw firsthand how many exciting and important films have been overlooked by standard streaming platforms. They decided to launch Projectr to rectify this problem and create an approachable platform for both casual and adventurous film viewers. The platform not only features well-known documentaries and independent titles but also offers deeper curation for viewers interested in exploring specific subjects, filmmakers, current issues, or fields of study. By collaborating with local distributors, international companies, producers, and filmmakers, Projectr brings an incredible array of illuminating and thought-provoking films to viewers' screens—allowing them to create their own personalized cinematheque.
Target Audience
Projectr primarily caters to students, faculty, and library patrons. By positioning itself as a streaming platform for these individuals, Grasshopper aims to provide educational institutions and public libraries with a rich repository of films that can enhance learning experiences and cater to the diverse interests of their patrons.
Content Offered by Projectr
Projectr boasts a meticulously curated collection of acclaimed movies, award-winning documentaries, classic restorations, and short films. The platform ensures that viewers have access to a wide range of content that is both intellectually stimulating and artistically enriching. Every week, new content is added, ensuring a continuous influx of fresh and engaging films.
Exclusive Projectr Titles
Most of the titles on the platform are not available anywhere else. This includes titles and collections such as:
- Rewind and Play is an extraordinary documentary on Thelonious Monk featuring never-before-seen footage and performances.
- Ascension, Academy Award nominee for Best Documentary Feature
- Pacifiction, from filmmaker Albert Serra starring Benoit Magimel, this acclaimed thriller is the winner of two 2023 Cesar Awards (for Best Actor and Best Cinematography) and an official selection of the Cannes Film Festival.
- St. Louis Superman, Academy Award nominee, Best Documentary Short Subject, and Winner, Best Short Documentary, Critics' Choice Documentary Award
- The Sudu Connexion Collection – This is an incredible collection of short films and documentaries directed by filmmakers from Africa and its Diaspora. It is not available anywhere else in the US, neither academic nor consumer streaming platforms.
- The Canyon Cinema Collection: This collection includes over 100 films from the renowned San Francisco-based collective which traces the vital history of the experimental and avant-garde filmmaking movements from 1921 to the present.
Recommended Projectr Titles
With an extensive catalog of films, Projectr offers a multitude of options for viewers. The platform features a "Movie Picks" section where recommendations from renowned filmmakers, writers, and artists are showcased. These recommendations, provided by personalities such as Chloe Sevigny, Sara Driver, and Lucy Sante, among others, serve as valuable insights into the must-watch films available on Projectr.
Expanding Collections and Content Library
Projectr aims to continually expand its collections and content library. By collaborating with exceptional content partners such as MTV Documentary Films, Women Make Movies, and Kino Lorber, the platform strives to ensure a diverse and comprehensive selection of films. Grasshopper's goal is to provide a platform that remains relevant and continually evolves to meet the ever-changing needs and preferences of its audience.
Accessibility and Subscriptions
To ensure accessibility, Projectr can be accessed by faculty, students, and library patrons on their website. Libraries, colleges, and universities can obtain unlimited streaming access for their patrons, students, and faculty by paying a single annual fee, eliminating the need for individual subscriptions.
Public Performance Rights and Classroom Learning
Many of the films on Projectr include Public Performance Rights for Public Libraries. So libraries cannot only offer streaming for their patrons, but can quickly and easily put together film festivals, thematic screenings, or other kinds of events supplemented with screenings at their branches.
Many titles include supplementary materials such as filmmaker interviews, study guides, or film festival conferences—making them ideal for classroom learning.
