exploratorium

The Cinema Arts Program

Approaching movies as an active viewing experience, staff in the Cinema Arts Program view the projection screen as a portal to investigation. We engage with filmmakers who create works that inspire the imagination and instigate conversation. Animation, documentary, poetic observations, and abstract visuals serve a broad spectrum of curious audiences while blending the methods and aesthetics of artists and scientists. Through our programming, we aim to provide an opportunity for visitors to explore the compelling people, places, and ideas that extend through the museum and beyond. Our collection of films and events offer a rich resource for public audiences, and also provide an important research collection for both our teaching programs and exhibit development teams.

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Upcoming Events
At Home: Prelinger Archives Home Movie Collection

Tuesday, January 7–Sunday, February 2, 2020

These selections showcase personal stories with universal appeal. From families traveling to far-flung landscapes to birthday parties for toddlers, these intimate films made by strangers feel quite familiar.

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Cinema Arts: Color Visions

Saturday, February 1, 2020 • Noon and 2:00 p.m.

In this collection of shorts, watch vibrant colors pop off the screen that reflect the pigments of the natural world, conjure saturated landscapes, and creatively display the rainbow spectrum. 

Feb
2
Cinema Arts: Color Visions

Sunday, February 2, 2020 • Noon and 2:00 p.m.

In this collection of shorts, watch vibrant colors pop off the screen that reflect the pigments of the natural world, conjure saturated landscapes, and creatively display the rainbow spectrum. 

Past Events
Celluloid Workshop with Richard Tuohy

Saturday, November 22, 2014 • Noon–4:00 p.m.

Join Australian filmmaker Richard Tuohy for a hands-on film processing workshop. Discover the chemistry and techniques needed to process your own 16mm color film, and get the full picture of color film’s path from shooting to screen.
Off the Screen: lucky dragons’ Actual Reality

Thursday, November 20, 2014 • 7:30 p.m.

Inspired by the works of Bob Miller (1935–2007), natural philosopher, light artist, and Exploratorium icon, Actual Reality invites us to wade into a sea of images and sounds and catch slippery, individual moments of reality.
Particle Fever

Saturday, November 15, 2014 • 7:00 p.m.

Imagine watching Edison as he turned on the first lightbulb, or Franklin as he received his first jolt of electricity. Particle Fever follows six brilliant scientists during the launch of the Large Hadron Collider as they search for the Higgs boson.
Saturday Cinema: Water

Saturday, November 8, 2014 • 1:00, 2:00, and 3:00 p.m.

Covering 71 percent of the Earth’s surface and necessary for all known forms of life, this vital natural resource and its multifaceted nature are examined in short works.
Saturday Cinema: Day of Cinematic Souls

Saturday, November 1, 2014 • 1:00, 2:00, and 3:00 p.m.

From spooky cartoons celebrating the delirious joy surrounding Halloween, to stylistic studies of traditions, rituals, and folk objects used to celebrate the Day of the Dead, this program looks at the many ways to honor the macabre.
Radiant Cinema: Reflections on Light and Shadow

Wednesday, October 29, 2014 • 6:30 p.m.

Cinema Arts, in partnership with the San Francisco Public Library, presents this very special film program to accompany Light Walk, an exhibition held at the San Francisco Main Library from October 25, 2014 to February 5, 2015.
Light Walk: Bob Miller and the Exploratorium

October 25, 2014–February 13, 2015
Hours vary; please check SFPL's calendar for details

An investigation of the work of Bob Miller, natural philosopher, light artist, and author of many of the museum's most iconic exhibits, is on view at the San Francisco Main Library from October 25, 2014 to February 13, 2015.
Saturday Cinema: Avant-Garde Amateurs

Saturday, October 18, 2014 • 1:00, 2:00, and 3:00 p.m.

In celebration of the 11th Annual Home Movie Day, Cinema Arts presents this program of amateur artistry.
Off the Screen: Eskimo Remastered

Thursday, October 16, 2014 • 7:00 and 9:00 p.m.

In this one-time-only event, The Residents’ album Eskimo (1979) is presented as a multichannel, 3D sound spectacular accompanied by the equally innovative visuals of their companion Eskimo DVD (2002).
Off the Screen: Moving Pictures and Written Words: Celebrating The George Kuchar Reader

Wednesday, October 15, 2014 • 7:00 p.m.

The George Kuchar Reader, edited by Andrew Lampert, features never-before published and long out-of-print words, comics, and photos. To celebrate the book’s release, Lampert will read a few selections and present rarely screened 16mm films from Kuchar’s catalog.
Saturday Cinema: A Cinematic Study of San Francisco Fog

Saturday, October 4, 2014 • 1:00, 1:30, 2:00, 2:30, 3:00 and 3:30 p.m.

Created in collaboration with cinematographer Andy Black, Sam Green's A Cinematic Study takes a poetic view of a complex natural phenomenon that for many months each year defines the psycho-geography of the region.
Saturday Cinema: Bodies

Saturday, September 27, 2014 • 1:00, 2:00, and 3:00 p.m.

In breaking down motion and considering the inner workings of our physical forms, this program examines the central element of each moment. Bodies become invitations to exploration in these inside, up-close, slowed-down, and inventive looks at our corporeal selves.

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