On March 29th a four-alarm fire destroyed the Utah Film Center office building in the heart of downtown Salt Lake City. Thankfully no one was hurt, but the building was deemed structurally unsafe for occupancy and the vast majority of our belongings—film equipment, computers, appliances, office supplies, movies, paper files and more—have been damaged beyond repair.
We have adapted by working from home and many gracious partners have offered up their spaces for meetings. We have also done our best to maintain our programming schedule and are evaluating how the damages incurred from the fire will affect us moving forward.
As a nonprofit organization, we complied with all best practices and had insurance. However, our losses are minimally covered. For our free statewide curated film exhibition and media arts education programming, and worldwide artist support program to continue at the scale it was before the fire, we need to make up what was lost. To do that, we started a gofundme campaign and have asked our audience to give to the Utah Film Center Fire Recovery Fund (gofundme.com/utahfilmcenter).
Donations of all sizes will make a big difference and provide operating support for us to serve our community of children, teachers, and film lovers of all ages, genders, sexual orientations, and from all walks of life with programs like Tumbleweeds, Damn These Heels, SHIFT, and Sundance Kids.
For 14 years Utah Film Center has practiced and spread messages of inclusivity and compassion through independent film. If you too believe in the power film has to educate, inspire, and entertain, please give today. With your help we will rise again!
Thank you.
