We use Optical Character Recognition (OCR) during our scanning and processing workflow to make the content of each page searchable. You can view the automatically generated text below as well as copy and paste individual pieces of text to quote in your own work.
Text recognition is never 100% accurate. Many parts of the scanned page may not be reflected in the OCR text output, including: images, page layout, certain fonts or handwriting.
It brings the users to the films,, it takes the films to the users
First jImericam Film Assemrlv m Festiial
ii^V.
11 HE Conrad Hilton is virtually 'tied up' in film as projection machines whir in ballrooms, dining rooms, and showrooms from the mezzanine to the upper tower on the 26th floor."
Thus Sam Lesner. popular Chicago newspaperman, accurately reported what happened to Chicago's Conrad Hilton Hotel when the first annual "American Film Assembly and Golden Reel Festival" moved in April 1-3. Nothing quite like it has ever before happened to the non-theatrical film in this country.
The .\merican Film Assembly was planned by the Film Council of America to bring together 16mm film users, producers, and distributors from all parts of the country for exchange of ideas and discussion of problems and for a concentrated screening and judging of the "best" of 1953 16mm productions. Other national audio-visual meetings ha\e more effectively Ijrought together users, producers, and distributors for exchange of ideas but no other organization that we know of has attempted to bring together so many Ifimm films (over 400) with so many film-users (reported attendance: 1200) all at one time and all in one place for one granti American film festival.
Even those who find fault with the idea of "best" films or with tlie subject
matter categories into w'aich the films were divided or with some aspect ot the judging must be thrilled that at long last America has given the nontheatrical film something like the kind of spotlighted recognition and appreciation it deserves. We don't yet have an Edinburgh but perhaps we're on our way — and in our own way. (See editorial, page 206.)
Over half a million feet of film (we're told) were shown to judges and 16mm film users and enthusiasts during the two days in which films were screened simultaneously in twelve subject-matter (ategories. The scheduling
was so carefully planned that a program-planner could catch a film on "The Colorado River" at 9 .\.M., on "George Braque" at 9:32, on "The History of the U. S. Navy" at 10:,57, on "All God's Children" at 11:28 -all of them in different rooms. Without any help at all from the judges, the program-planner could find the "best" films — that is, the best films for his purposes. It was an incomparable opportunity to preview and plan future film use.
The films were given ratings by 139 judges according to liow well each film was thought to accomplish its stated
PRESIDENT EISENHOWER ON FILM
From the President of the United Stotes, Dwight D. Eisenhower, to Paul A. Wagner, President, Film Council of America:
The motion picture is now a powerful tool of communication and education. I can personally testify that the use of films in World War II speeded and broadened the training of our troops beyond any precedent. Since then the story of freedom and democracy has been strikingly portrayed on them for eager audiences around the world. In the years ahead, I am sure the motion picture will become on even more effective weapon for truth and human liberty. Consequently, I am happy to send through you greetings to the delegates to the American Film Assembly. May the convention be productive and successful.
DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER President of the United States
180
Educationci Screen