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For those of you in pursuit of 35mm film reels of lost movies, let's talk strategy. First, network with projectionists – some of them squirreled away classics for private collections. Second, estate sales. You'd be surprised how often film reels are mistaken for junk. Lastly, if all else fails, reach out to film preservation societies. They sometimes lead you to other collectors, which can be gold mines for leads on the truly rare reels.
Submitted 10 months, 3 weeks ago by FilmReelFrankie
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Estate sales are a gold mine, seriously! Also, some thrift stores occasionally come across old reels and sell them for nothing because they don’t know what they are. Talk to the management and let them know you’re interested; some are willing to give you a call before they put stuff like that out on the floor.
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Another Point to Consider: Don't ignore foreign markets, especially for Hollywood films. Sometimes reels were sent overseas and never returned; these can end up in unexpected places. It’s not easy since not all countries have strict archiving methods, but I’ve heard of people uncovering reels in old storage rooms of cinemas that had closed down decades ago in Eastern Europe and Asia.
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In my experience, local film festivals often have veteran cinephiles who might just lead you to private collectors – they’re often not very tech-savvy and that’s where you can find some serious classics. It takes patience and genuine interest in what these folks have to say but it’s totally worth it. Happy hunting!
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yes yes, and sometimes it's about who u know more than what u know. networking is key in finding those lost reels. they aren’t just gonna show up on eBay lmao. gotta put yourself out there, make calls, send emails, be persistent. best of luck folks, this ain’t for the faint of heart
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Great tips! To add to the networking part, join some online forums specifically for film collectors. It’s crazy the kind of insider info you can stumble upon there. I’ve managed to snag a couple of rare indie film reels after connecting with folks on such forums. Also, keep an eye on auction sites, sometimes they pop up there, especially if the auctioneers aren't aware of what they've got on their hands.